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| Publication Type:
| Report |
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| Author(s): | Gelernter, Wendy;
Stowell, Larry J. |
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| Author Affiliation: | Editors, PTRI 1998 Turfgrass Research Report |
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| Title: | Predicting the timing of adult and larval Low Desert populations of the black turfgrass ataenius and the masked chafer using black light traps |
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| Section: | Insect management
Other records with the "Insect management" Section
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| Source: | PTRI 1998 Turfgrass Research Report. 1998, p. 73-77. |
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| Publishing Information: | San Diego, CA: PACE Turfgrass Research Institute |
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| # of Pages: | 5 |
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| Keywords: | TIC Keywords: Life cycle; Ataenius; Light traps
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| Abstract/Contents: | "Accurate timing of insecticide applications targeted against white grubs (black turfgrass ataenius and masked chafers) is critical for optimal control. However, this has been difficult because grubs are difficult to scout for and detect, and because the timing of infestations varies from year to year. To better predict when white grub populations will occur each year, a research trial was implemented to investigate the feasiblity of various sampling methods for adults and larvae of the BTA and the masked chafer and the accuracy with which they predict the appearance of white grubs. Overall, black light trap samples of masked chafer adults accurately predicted the appearance of grubs, but black turfgrass ataenius light trap samples were not always accurate. For this reason, additional predictive tools need to accompany the use of black light traps for accurate prediction of the appearance of grubs and optimal timing of control treatments. Specific findings include: Based on data developed in the Eastern U.S., it was previously believed that white grubs were active in the Low Desert beginning in April or May and ending in August. However, our research indicates that white grubs (larvae of black turfgrass ataenius and masked chafers) were a continuous presence on turf from late June/early July through the winter months, with the most serious damage occurring in July and August. For this reason, timing of preventive insecticide applications with Merit should not be made until approximately mid-June. The manufacturer of Merit, Bayer, has addressed this refinement in application timing by issuing a bulletin with revised recommendations that are based on the research summarized in this report. The exact timing of grub populations will vary from year to year based on changes in climate. Black light trap samples of masked chafer adults accurately predicted the appearance of grubs, with grubs first detected on greens on 7/12/96, or four weeks after the first peak of adults, which occurred between 6/9 and 6/11. Low Desert chafers peaked 2 weeks earlier than chafers in coastal Southern California. It is highly likely that peak chafer beetle activity occurs on the same dates every year (the second week in June), indicating that factors such as day length may have a greater influence than temperature on adult chafer activity. For the reasons above, adult and larval populations of the masked chafer can be most accurately predicted on the basis of the calendar, with the first peak of adults expected during the second week in June, and the first grubs appearing in late June/early July. Unlike other regions of the country, where masked chafers lay eggs for only a few weeks each June, Low Desert masked chafer adults showed a second peak of activity in late August/early September. As a result, masked chafer grubs are capable of causing damage to golf course greens for a prolonged period (July through October), and multiple insecticide applications may therefore be necessary for their control. Black light trap samples of the black turfgrass ataenius (BTA) did not accurately predict the appearance of grubs in the Low Desert, although the light trap has been a fairly successful predictive tool in other regions of the state. In the Low Desert, black light trap counts indicated extremely high numbers of BTA adults present beginning in early June, leading to the assumptions that grubs would appear 2 - 4 weeks later. However, BTA grub populations were not detected on greens in the Low Desert until late August. This delay in the onset of BTA grub populations has several possible explanations which are explored below. Direct sampling of turf for the presence or abscence of grubs proved to be highly destructive to turf and extremely time consuming. The use of an acoustic microphone that allowed the user to detect the presence of grubs via the sounds they made chewing and moving was less destructive to turf, but also extremely time consuming." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 1 |
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| Note: | Cooperators: Ross O'Fee and Mike Cocour, The Springs Club; Cal Hardin, Morningside Country Club; Douglas Anderson, The Vintage Club; Chris Harvell, Nicklaus Private Course (PGA West)
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| ASA/CSSA/SSSA Citation (Crop Science-Like - may be incomplete):
Gelernter, W., and L. J. Stowell. 1998. Predicting the timing of adult and larval Low Desert populations of the black turfgrass ataenius and the masked chafer using black light traps. Turfgrass Res. Rep. p. 73-77. |
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