Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
Everglades Research and Education Center, Belle Glade
Non Technical Summary
Several species of insects are important pests of turf grass in Florida. These insects include important species such as southern chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass and tropical sod webworms in all grass species. Five to six insecticide applications are typically applied each year to control these pests. Thus there is a large monetary cost and environmental cost to control these pests. Hence, efficient use of insecticides and alternative controls are constantly needed for these pests. One alternative to insecticides is host plant resistance which has been used especially well against the southern chinch bug in the past. Also, there is a constant need to develop new insecticides against these pests as insects develop resistance to current insecticides and insecticides are restricted and/or removed from the market. Biological control is also an area that has received limited attention in controlling insect pests of turf in Florida. The effect of predators, parasites, and pathogens needs to be clarified in order to see if their effect on pest populations can be enhanced. The southern chinch bug, the most important insect pest of St. Augustinegrass, has and continues to become resistant to a wide variety of insecticides. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) needs to be studied to most effectively use the chemical controls available against this adaptable insect. And last, we must be vigilant in controlling new insect pest problems as they arise. Florida in general, and especially southern Florida, is an excellent stage for evolving new insect pest problems because of the salubrious climate. Moreover, the large amount of shipping, both air and water, brought into Florida enhances its insect pest problems. Hence, it is important to study these new insect pest problems as they arise to protect the homeowners and turf industry of Florida.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
70%
Developmental
0%
Goals / Objectives
1. Work with plant breeder(s) to find new varieties of turf grass resistant to turf insect pests. 2. Work with chemical control industries to develop new insecticides to control insect pests of turf grasses. 3. Study biological control agents of insect pests of turf grasses to enhance the effectiveness of these natural enemies. 4. Develop Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) for the southern chinch bug which is resistant to several insecticides. 5. Be ready to develop control strategies against new insect pests as these problems develop in turf grass.
Project Methods
The following research will be conducted on southern chinch bugs. First, I will cooperate with a plant breeder to develop varieties of St. Augustinegrass resistant to the insects. Second, I will continue to cooperate with various companies to test various insecticides for chinch bug control. Third, the natural occurrence and manipulation of parasites for southern chinch bug control will be studied. Fourth, the dispersal of the adults will be determined since we currently have little understanding of the insect's movement between populations. Fifth, insecticide resistance management will be examined since southern chinch bugs are notorious for becoming resistant to insecticides. The following research will be conducted on tropical sod webworms. First, I will cooperate with a plant breeder to develop varieties of turf grass resistant to the insects. Second, I will continue to cooperate with various companies to test various insecticides for tropical sod webworm control. Third, the natural occurrence and manipulation of parasites for tropical sod webworm control will be studied. Last, I will have my research program in place so that when new turf insect pests are found I will be able to react quickly to a new problem. For example, Cherry et al (2006) reported on Liburnia pseudoseminigra, a new and unusual pest of St. Augustinegrass. This insect was first noted in sod farms in southern Florida in 2004. Florida is notorious for the importation of new insect pests and evolution of native insect species into pests. As these pests occur which surely they will, I will move rapidly to help Florida homeowners and sod growers control the insect pests of their turf.