Chapter 4 Flashcards
Pests of Turfgrass
A large variety of insects inhabits turfgrass ecosystems, but _____ _ ____ cause damage. Often this damage is mistaken for a disease, a fertilizer problem or drought because the symptoms are similiar. Usually serious pest infestations are sporadic and unpredictable. Therfore, treatments usually are not preventative in nature, but applied only as infestations occur. Regular scouting and sampling of turf are necessary to detect pests before significant damage occurs.
only a few
________ ____________ is critiical for choosing an appropriate treatment of pests.
Pest Identification
Two most prevelant pests in Tennessee are _______ and _________
white grubs and cutworms
_____ ________ are larvae of scarab beetles such as chafers, May/June beetles, green June beetles, Japanese beetles, Asiatic garden beetles, oriental beetles and the black turfgrass ataenius. They are the most important pest of turfgrass in Tennessee. The ______ are more or less similiar in appearance: whitish, fat, and C-shape: brown, distinct head and thoracic legs; and varying in size from 1/8 to 2 inches in length, depending on the age and species. They feed on roots, often in large patches, at 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. Large areas of turf may die in severe infestations and the turf may be rolled back like a carpet.
Sample for _______ _______ by cutting and lifting several square foot sections of turf to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Treatments should be made from mid-July to early August depending on the species, Thatch removal should improve insecticide performance. Infest soil and roots
white grubs
______ larvae which feed on grass roots, resemble small grubs although they lack the thoracic legs. The adults are weevils with long snouts tha tfeed on grass stems and stolons. The adult feeding damage is considered insignificant. Most of the damage is from larval feeding. Damage is often mistaken for drought dormancy, white grub damage or other factors. Larvae tunnel in grass stems, weakening them so they break easily when pulled upon. There several species of these. Infest soil and roots
Billbugs
________ are the larvae of click beetles, are hard, dark brown, smooth and slender. The bore into underground parts of stems and feed on roots. When placed on their backs, adults right themselves by snapping their bodies against the ground, flying into the air and making a clicking sound. Infest soil and roots
Wireworms
This pest is is light to dark brown with shovel-like front legs. Adults are 1 1/2 inches in length. They tunnel beneath the soil surface feeding on roots. Tunnels resemble those of moles, except they are smaller. Tunneling seperates roots from soil making plants susceptible to drought. Sometimes ________ come to the surface to feed on foliage. Infest soil and roots
Northern Mole Cricket
___________ are the second most important group of turfrgrass pests in tennessee. These moth larvae hide in the ground during the day and feed at night, usually completely severing foliage from stems. They are plump and can be mottled gray to greasy black. When disturbed, they curl into a C-shape. Damage is greatest to seedlings. They feed on leaves and stems
Cutworms
______ _____________, larvae of small, night flying moths, cut off grass blades and consume them underground. Baseball sized patches are consumed, turn brown and die. These patches may run together into large, dead looking areas. Silk tubes containing larvae or pupae may be found in thatch of those areas. Often, feeding by ____ _________ larvae does not kill the crown. After controlling the pest, the grass can be revived with fertilization. Larae, light colored with dark spots, may be detected by pouring soapy water (2 tsp of dishwashing detergent in 1 gallon of water) over 4 sq ft of grass enclosed in a wooden frame. _____ larvae will surface in a few minutes. This can also be used to detect black turfgrass atenius adults, billbug adutls, cutworms and armyworms. Several species of ___ _________ occur in Tennessee. They are active from May to September and have three to four generations per year. They feed on leaves and stems
Sod webworms
_______ are moth larvae that feed in the daytime. The turf they damage appears ragged. Damage occurs in mid to late summer. Larvae usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches when mature, usually have characteristic, striped patterns running the length of their bodies. The most important species are the true ____________ and the fall __________. They feed on leaves and stems
armyworm
______ _______ nymphs do the most damage, feeding on tender portions of stems, causing yellowish spots that become brown, dead areas. Newly hatched nymphs are red, but darken with each molt. Adults are black and 1/6 inch long. They suck on plant juices
Chinch bugs
_______ are triangular or wedge shaped insects, less than 1/5 inches long. They feed on leaves and stems and can severely damage new lawns. They suck plant juices
Leafhoppers
Feeding by ________ causes blotching and stippling of leaves. They are occassional pests but severe infeststations can kill plans. They clover mite is a nuisance when they enter homes. They suck plant juices
Mites
Nymphs live inside masses of of spittle. Adults are 1/4 - 3/8 inches long, resemble leafhoppers. Dethatching and proper fertilization can reduce _________ numbers.
spittlebugs
