Crane Fly and Bill Bug Control in the Pacific Northwest Dr. Jim Frelich JR Frelich & Associates Dr. Gwen Stahnke Washington State University-Puyallup 1
Insect Problems 1. Identify what insect is causing damage and the life cycle stage of the insect. 2. Determine severity of infestation and apply insecticide if necessary. 3. Before application, mow lawn, and remove grass clippings to get insecticide to target area. Water insecticide in with inch of water. 2
Looking for insects 3
Pest Control Methods of Applications: Too Much Too Little Too Early Too Late Wrong Kind Insect Damage Too Late
Pest Control Wrong Kind At Planting
Weeds A Physical Weed & Feed Dusty Product from Neighbor
Weeds Wrong Kind
T. Oleracea L. female Found in WA in 1998 and in Quebec, Canada in 2004 Common Cranefly T. Paludosa Meigen female Found in WA in 1967 and moved south to northern California by 1999 European Crane Fly 8
v v v v v v v v BC WA OR CA Slide of locations Ontario Quebec Quebec City Toronto VA TX AL 2009 Crane Fly Larval Locations in United States and Canada 9
Seattle Tacoma Portland Corvallis Eugene Naches Spokane 2008 Cranefly Distribution in the Pacific Northwest Cranefly populations Dr. Gwen K. Stahnke, WSU-Puyallup 10
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Insects European Crane fly Adult Larvae Test Turf Damage
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ommon rane Fly viposition Common Crane Fly Oviposition 17
Crane fly core sampling to make larval counts 18
Testing Alternatives for Crane fly control Previous testing for European Cranefly (Tipula paludosa) has concentrated on the Feb-March application timing after monitoring for larval numbers Confirmation of the Common Cranefly (Tipula oleracea) which may have two generations has pushed timing applications to late October through early December. This timing should control larval stages of both craneflies. 19 Cont d
Application Timing Strategies 1. Less toxic products are not effective if applied when larvae are in an older larval stage. 2. We will need to reply on historical records and preventative applications as opposed to using a curative application altering monitoring. 3. This could increase amount of product used due to lack of a good curative effect from these products. 20
Crane Fly Larvae Reduction Trials Timing for Applications: 1. Oviposition for European Crane Fly (ECF) egg to 1 st instar; CCF 2 nd to 3 rd instar (September 15) 2. ECF 1 st instar to 2 nd instar; CCF- egg to 1 st instar (November 15) 3. ECF Late 3 rd instar; CCF- 4 th instar, adult to egg lay (February to March 15) Applications made with CO 2 sprayer with 8003 flat fan nozzles. 30 psi and a spray volume of 3 gal 1000 ft -2. 21
Conclusions From Early Data (2000-2002) For unthrifty and newly established turfgrass areas, which are more susceptible to ECF and CCF damage, an application of imidacloprid would be effective in reducing larval populations in September at oviposition. Healthy, established turfgrass can be monitored in late fall or early spring for larval numbers above the threshold of 25 ft -2, with an application of bifenthrin or the higher rate of carbaryl applied to reduce larval populations to limit damage to the turfgrass. 22
Summary 1. At oviposition, imidacloprid (0.25 and 0.30 lb ai A -1), cyfluthrin and thiamethoxam, significantly reduced larval numbers by 72, 88,84 and 72%, respectively. 2. Late fall applications (Nov.) of imidacloprid (0.40 lb ai A -1 ), trichlorfon, lambda-cyhalothrin, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos and acephate provided significant larval reduction. 3. Early spring applications (Jan.-Feb) of bifenthrin (both granular and liquid forms) and carbaryl (8.0 lb ai A -1 ), reduced larvae by 93 to 85%, respectively. 4. Late spring applications of bifenthrin (early March) reduced larval numbers by 86%, while mid-march applications only reduced larval numbers by 67%. 23
New Insecticides Investigated 2006 Arena Clothianidin Preventative and curative grub control Apply May through September Performs well on soil and surface feeding pests (white grubs, billbugs, pyrethroid-resistant chinch bugs) 24
New Insecticides Investigated 2006 Aloft GC G, Aloft GC SC Clothianidin and bifenthrin (G = 0.025% C + 0.125% B) Do not apply within 25 ft. radius of water sources Liquid performs well on mole crickets, sod webworms, european chafer, green june beetle and other scarabs Granule performs well on billbugs, chinch bugs, cutworms, armyworms, annual bluegrass weevil (adult and larvae) 25
Table 14: Late Fall 2007 Crane Fly Control: Snoqualmie Ridge, WA Pretreatment: 12-18-07 Post-treatment: 2-25-08 Rate Pre-Avg. Post-Avg. % Larval Treatment larvae/ sq. ft. larvae/ sq. ft. Reduction Arena 50 WDG 6.4oz/A 44.5 15.3 69.1 Arena 50 WDG 10.6 oz/a 44.1 13.0 68.6 Arena 25 G 80 lbs./a 39.1 10.0 75.0 Arena 25G 125 lbs./a 48.7 21.5 48.2 Aloft 7.2 oz/a 55.6 0.4 99.6 Aloft 14.4 0z/A 57.5 3.1 95.9 Talstar EZ 0.2 lbs./a 48.3 0.4 98.9 Talstar EZ 0.4 lbs./a 52.1 0.8 98.5 Dursban DTI 1 lb. ai/a 51.8 0.4 99.3 Untreated 55.2 10.7 78.2 26
New Insecticides Investigated 2007-2008 Provaunt 30 WG Indoxacarb, oxadiaxine class Reduced risk pesticide for use on aesthetic and recreational turf areas and plants. Does not impact natural arthropod and parasitoid populations No buffer zone required Applications should target eggs and small instars Do not water for 24 hours after application 27
New Insecticides Investigated 2007-2009 Acelepryn Chlorantraniliprole, anthranilic diamide class: causes paralysis due to calcium loss from open ryanodine receptors of insect muscles Foliar and systemic control of white grubs and other pests infesting landscape and recreational turfgrass and landscape ornamentals, interiorscapes and sod farms. 28
New Insecticides Investigated 2007-2009 (Acelepryn) This product has a high potential for runoff for several months or more after application. A well-maintained vegetative buffer strip between the application area and water should be provided. Applications should be made in April thru Sept. for preventative and early curative control of white grubs Irrigate immediately after application 29
Table 15: Early Spring 2008 Crane Fly Control: Goss Farm, Puyallup, WA Pretreatment: 2-18-07 Post-treatment: 3-18-08 Rate Pre-Avg. Post-Avg. % Larval Treatment larvae/ sq. ft. larvae/ sq. ft. Reduction Provaunt 30WG 0.1125 ai/a 38.7 0 100 Provaunt 30WG 0.225 ai/a 32.3 0 100 Acelepryn 0.104 lbs. ai/a 48.3 0 100 Acelepryn 0.208 lbs. ai/a 23.4 0 100 Sevin SL 8 lbs./a 23.8 0 100 Talstar EZ 0.2 lbs./a 33.0 0 100 Talstar EZ 0.4 lbs./a 31.4 0 100 Untreated 29.1 2.0 93 30
Crane Fly Larva 31
Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009 90 crane flies/sq.ft. Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009 32
Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009 90 crane flies/sq.ft. Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009 33
Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009 90 crane flies/sq.ft. 34 Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009
Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009 90 crane flies/sq.ft. Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009 35
90 crane flies/sq.ft. Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009 36 Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009
90 crane flies/sq.ft. Point Defiance Bowl on March 18, 2009 Provaunt applied at label rate on May 1, 2009 37
Crane fly larva on March 18, 2009 38
6 weeks after Provaunt application, overseeding and 50% slow-release fertilizer application. Point Defiance Bowl on June 22, 2009 39
6 weeks after Provaunt application, overseeding and 50% slow-release fertilizer application. Point Defiance Bowl on June 22, 2009 40
6 weeks after Provaunt application, overseeding and 50% slow-release fertilizer application. Point Defiance Bowl on June 22, 2009 41
6 weeks after Provaunt application, overseeding and 50% slow-release fertilizer application. Point Defiance Bowl on June 22, 2009 42
Billbugs Sphenophorus sayi, Say s Billbug S. parvulus, bluegrass billbug S. cicatristriatus 43
Adult Billbug 44
Billbugs (Bluegrass), (Hunting), (Denver), (Phoenix) Distribution Bluegrass BB is found in the northern US and Canada (OR, WA) Hunting BB is found on warm season grasses throughout the southeastern US (ID) Denver BB is found Northern great plains and Rocky Mountain regions (OR,WA) Phoenix BB is found in California and Arizona (ID)
Billbugs 1. Overwinter as adults. 2. In spring, (Late April thru June) females lay eggs in grass stem. 3. Larvae hatch and feed on stem and move to soil in July to feed on crown and roots. This stage causes the most damage. 4. Late summer or early fall larvae pupate into beetles and hibernate in thatch. They can be seen walking along driveways until it gets 46 cold.
Billbugs Bluegrass, RM, Hunting, Phoenix Hosts: Larvae: Cool season grasses are host of Bluegrass and Denver BBs BG- Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescues; Warm season grasses are host of Hunting and Phoenix BB Hunting BB like zoysia, hybrid bermuda, St. Augustine, and centipede grasses Adult: Will feed on host grasses by chewing pits in stems
Billbugs (Bluegrass), (Hunting), (Denver), (Phoenix) Diagnosis Adults: These are small (5/16-7/16 ) dark to grayish weevils (elongated, down-ward curving snout) that can be seen on warm days in April to May and in the fall crawling over ground. Larvae: Look for turf damage similar to dollar spot disease from June to August, but associated with small (1/4-3/8 ) fat and legless grub. Early June to early July use the tugtest by pulling a tuft of grass-
Billbug
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Billbug Trap in Lawn 51
Billbug Adults and Larvae Caught in Trap 52
Billbug Larva 53
Many billbug larvae under sod 54
55 Billbug damage, stems pull away
Billbug damage causes Flagging of seed stalks 56
Billbug damage 57
Control Measures Can control Adults in early May by applying an insecticide before egg laying occurs. Only granules should be watered in with a spring treatment to keep sprayed products in area where adults are. If adults are missed in spring, summer applications of products for larvae must be irrigated with inch of water to move insecticide into the root zone. 58
Registered Products for Billbug Control Chlorantraniprole Acelepryn Clothianidin Arena Bifenthrin Talstar, Onyx Cyfluthrin Tempo Halofenozide Mach 2 Imidacloprid Merit 59
Slug & Snail
THE END 61
SUMMARY 62
63 Mass of March Fly Larvae
March Fly Damage 64
March Fly Larvae 65
March Fly Pupa 66
Annual Bluegrass and Crabgrass Research UpDate 2010 Dr. Gwen Stahnke WSU- Puyallup 67
Annual Grass Research Done at WSU-Puyallup Dimension (Dithiopyr) was tested in 1987 for efficacy This was a new product for preemergence annual grass and some broadleaf weed control Safe preemergence product on many species of warm and cool season grasses 68
Yakima Crabgrass Trial, 1987 Site was a mixed Kentucky bluegrass/fine fescue Crabgrass was completely controlled at 0.38 lb. ai/a at the 1 tiller stage. In 1988 and 1989, crabgrass was reduced by 80% when Dimension was applied at 0.25 lb. ai/a in late spring. 69
Annual Bluegrass Suppression in Western Washington using Dimension Highland Colonial Bentgrass was used for treatment applications Applications of Dimension were made over 4 years, with 2 applications made per year Preemergence apps. March/Apr. Aug/Sept. Postemergence apps. late May/June mid to late Oct. 70
Annual Bluegrass Suppression in Western Washington using Dimension Bentgrass density was not changed by rates of 0.25 to 2 lb. ai/ A/yr With greater than 30% annual bluegrass on the plots, the bentgrass remaining after the treatments appeared mottled due to loss of annual bluegrass Rooting of bentgrass in the top 2 inches of the soil was not changed with 1 lb. ai/a/yr after 3 years of applications 71
Annual Bluegrass Suppression in Western Washington using Dimension Year 1 No reduction in annual bluegrass at 1 lb ai/a/yr or lower application rates. Year 2 There was a significant reduction in annual bluegrass when 0.25 lb. ai/a/yr a 2 apps were applied. At rates > 1 lb ai/a/ yr there was some damage to bentgrass (0.5 lb ai/a/yr x 2 Year 3 There was a significant reduction in annual bluegrass when 0.125 lb. ai/a/yr a 2 apps were applied 72
Annual Bluegrass Suppression in Western Washington using Dimension Summary Dithiopyr can give season long control of smooth crabgrass applied pre or until tillering of crabgrass when 0.38 lb ai/a to 0.5 lb. ai/a is applied. Suppression of annual bluegrass in cool season turfgrass is possible over several years of spring and fall treatments of 0.26 and 0.5 lb ai/a/yr. 73
Overview of 2010 Crabgrass Trial at Yakima Area Arboretum 74
Yakima Crabgrass Trial 2010 Applications: 3/31/2010 2 Leaf- 4/19/2010 Treatments Dimension 2 EW 0.25 ai/ac Dimension 2 EW 0.25 ai/ac at 2 Leaf Dimension 2 EW 0.38 ai/ac Dimension 2 EW 0.38 ai/ac at 2 Leaf Dimension 0.10 on 0-0-7, 0.1 GR 0.25lb ai/ac Dimension 0.10 on 0-0-7, 0.1 GR 0.25lb ai/ac, 2 Leaf Dimension 0.21 on 0-0-7, 0.1 GR 0.38lb ai/ac Dimension 0.21 on 0-0-7, 0.1 GR 0.38lb ai/ac, 2 Leaf 75
Dimension Preemergence Treatments for Crabgrass Control 2010* Percent Crabgrass 4 WAT 8WAT 12 WAT (4/27) (5/25) (6/23) Treatments Dim. 2 EW 0.25 ai/ac 0 0 0 Dim. 2 EW 0.38 ai/ac 0 0 0 Dim. 0.10, 0.1 GR* 0.25lb ai/ac 0 0 0 Dim. 0.21, 0.1 GR* 0.38lb ai/ac 0 0 3 Control 3 7 30 Fertilizer granules are a 0-0-7, 0.1 GR. * At end of trial average crabgrass cover was 30% of plots 76
2010 Efficacy of Dimension Preemergence Treatments at 2 Leaf Stage of Crabgrass* Percent Crabgrass 4 WAT 8WAT 12 WAT (5/18) (6/15) (7/13) Treatments Dim. 2 EW 0.25 ai/ac 5.0 11.3 17.5 Dim. 2 EW 0.38 ai/ac 3.3 12.0 12.3 Dim. 0.10, 0.1 GR* 0.25lb ai/ac 3.5 13.0 7.0 Dim. 0.21, 0.1 GR* 0.38lb ai/ac 4.5 26.0 36.3 Control 6 13.3 50 Fertilizer granules are a 0-0-7, 0.1 GR. * At end of trial average crabgrass cover was 50% of plots 77
Summary All preemergence applications limited development of crabgrass in plots to an acceptable level for a customer. The 2-Leaf stage applications did not limit development of crabgrass for the first 8 weeks, but at 12 WAT, all treatments reduced crabgrass percent by at least 75%. 78
Crabgrass present at the end of 2010 Study 79
Thank you to the Yakima Area Arboretum for their cooperation in this trial. Special thanks to Mr. Jeff Neal, Grounds Manager at the Yakima Area Arboretum 80