![]() While this pest complex occurs across the entire state, the most prevalent species at any one site will vary considerably. In NY these include four native species (black turfgrass ataenius, green June beetle, May or June beetles, northern masked chafer) and four introduced species (Asiatic garden beetle, European chafer, Japanese beetle, Oriental beetle). White grubs are the larval, or immature, stages of scarab beetles, constituting the most diverse, widespread and damaging group of turf pests in the Northeast U.S. Major insect pests of NY State turfgrass.ġGrub, caterpillar, nymph and maggot are terms for the immature life stage of different insect groupsĭescription. A misdiagnosis means that applicators will not be in full compliance. Diagnosis is fundamental because the timing and type of control tactics will depend on the particular species involved, and moreover because chemical control products have labels specific to particular groups of insects. Nevertheless, control decisions must be based on a correct identification of the insect pest, which means recognizing the injury and knowing how to identify the insect complex and insect species involved. ![]() The injury caused by these insects can be difficult to differentiate from each other and from certain plant diseases. Leatherjackets are the soil-dwelling larvae of crane flies that injure grass both above- and below-ground. Ants are relevant when their nests disrupt the surface of the ground. Caterpillars include black cutworms, sod webworms, and fall armyworms that are primarily active at the soil surface where they feed on above-ground foliage. Chinch bugs are small, fast-moving sucking insects that live at the soil surface. Weevil larvae begin as stem borers, then crown feeders, and then as adults they become foliage feeders. White grubs are scarab beetle larvae that live in the soil where they feed on grass roots or otherwise disrupt the rooting zone. There are some 17 insects that can cause serious injury to turfgrass in NY State belonging to six general complexes: (1) white grubs, (2) weevils, (3) chinch bugs, (4) caterpillars, (5) ants and (6) leatherjackets. Because this is only a general summary, we include links to additional information. We highlight aspects of turf insect biology, ecology and behavior that are important for understanding their impact as pests and for choosing and applying the most appropriate control tactics. In this section on insect management we offer a general overview of the six major insect pest complexes that affect turfgrass systems in NY State such as home lawns, recreational areas, sports fields, golf courses and sod farms. Finally, pest management in turf is also challenging because there are few non-chemical control options that offer reliable alternatives, and because the availability of chemical options is continually changing due to restrictions and market-driven alterations. As a result, there is great potential for outbreaks and damaging infestations. Unintentionally introduced to the Northeast U.S., these species have arrived without the natural enemies, competitors or other factors that might have kept their populations in check across their native regions. Compared to above-ground foliar feeding insects, below-ground root feeding insects are harder to monitor and the products used to control them are harder to accurately deliver.Īnother challenge for insect pest management is the number of exotic pests that affect turfgrass. This poses challenges for their management because of how difficult it is to monitor, interpret and manipulate interactions that are being played out below the soil surface. Most of the insect pests of turfgrass conduct some stage of their life underground. Navigating these stages toward improved pest management will also depend on how well we understand natural history, i.e., the associations among insects, the grasses they feed on, and the overall turfgrass habitat. The most effective and efficient pest management programs include (1) diagnosis – correct identification of the insect(s) involved (i.e., who or what are the culprits behind the problem), (2) decision-making – a systematic process to decide if control is necessary (i.e., whether the situation requires a response), and (3) intervention – selecting, targeting and integrating the most appropriate control tactics (i.e., when and where to apply a control in concert with other management techniques).
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