Spring 2013 VOL. 28 ISSUE 1 Controlling Annual Bluegrass Weevil: Optimal Insecticide Timing and Rates Many insecticides are effective against annual bluegrass weevils susceptible to pyrethroids, but nearly all insecticides are less effective against pyrethroid-resistant weevils. A.M. KOPPENHÖFER, PH.D., STEVEN R. ALM, PH.D., RICHARD S. COWLES, PH.D., BENJAMIN A. MCGRAW, PH.D., STANLEY SWIER, PH.D., PATRICIA J. VITTUM, PH.D. he annual bluegrass weevil riod, females start depositing eggs and will even just the perimeters, at the time that (Listronotus maculicollis, formerly continue to do so for several weeks. By the forsythia (Forsythia species) reached the Hyperodes maculicollis) is a highly time hybrid rhododendron (Rhododendron half-gold, half-green late stage of bloom, destructive pest of short-mowed catawbiense) is in full bloom, larvae will or when downy serviceberry (Amelanchier Tgolf course turf in the northeastern United start to emerge from the plants and feed arborea) was in bloom. At this time, the States and eastern Canada. Damage externally. The resulting turf damage typi- vast majority of adult weevils are already caused by larval feeding is particularly ap- cally appears between late May-early June on the short-mowed areas but have not yet parent on tees, fairways, collars and and mid-June. After reaching full size, the started laying eggs. In recent years, many greens with high percentages of annual larvae stop feeding, pupate near the soil courses have observed a decrease in the bluegrass (Poa annua), which is preferred surface, transform into adults, and appear efficacy of this strategy when using tradi- over bentgrasses for egg-laying and is also on the turf surface around late June. tional products such as pyrethroids. less tolerant of larval feeding. Females place eggs between the leaf sheaths or in- These spring-generation adults mate and Because of the low tolerance for annual side the stem of the turfgrass plant. The lay eggs. The resulting second annual bluegrass weevil damage, superintend- first through third larval instars feed within bluegrass weevil generation is present ents may make several applications the grass stem. Third instars eventually exit predominantly as large larvae around late against emerging adults and their off- the stem, and the fourth and fifth instars July-early August, when additional dam- spring and additional applications against feed externally at the soil/thatch surface, age — usually less severe than spring the summer generations. Overreliance on each killing up to a dozen plants when they damage — may occur. The second gen- and overuse of insecticides, particularly feed on the crowns. eration pupates in August and starts of the pyrethroid class, has led to the de- emerging as adults around mid-August. A velopment of pesticide-resistant popula- Life Cycle third generation may develop between tions on an increasing number of golf Around the New York metropolitan area, the mid-August and mid to late September, courses (1,2). Current management prac- annual bluegrass weevil has two to three but is usually lower in density, rarely caus- tices are not sustainable and new ap- generations per year. A partial fourth gen- ing damage. proaches are needed. continued page 10 eration may occur some years in the Mid- Atlantic states. A majority of adults Pest Management overwinter in protected areas along the The annual bluegrass weevil has become IN THIS ISSUE edge of woods or in the rough. In spring, one of the most difficult-to-manage insect President’s Message 2 between full bloom of forsythia (Forsythia pests on golf courses. Until the early GPGCSA Meeting Schedule 3 species) and full bloom of flowering dog- 2000s, superintendents could be assured Dollar Spot Research 4 wood (Cornus florida) and eastern redbud that a well-timed pyrethroid spray in the Darrin Batisky Sales Manager (Cercis canadensis), these adults migrate spring would prevent damage for the re- of the Year 6 onto the golf course to feed on grass mainder of the season. The strategy was blades and mate. Toward the end of this pe- to apply an adulticide to the fairways, or GPGCSA News 7 et another mild winter is in the past, offerings that are well received by the vast Don’t forget to like us on facebook and follow and spring is slowly creeping in. Flow- majority. us on twitter, as we issue timely reminders, ers are blooming, seed heads too, and current information on those media sites. Y the smell of fresh cut grass fills the Our first event was a change from the norm. It is about the time when we all will become air, and aerification plugs are flying. Oh yeah, We held a miniature golf tournament inside engrossed in the goings on of our own facili- and hopefully we are starting to see some Shannopin Country Club, on Wednesday, ties. I would encourage you to reach out to golf being played. Most golfers have been March 6th, and it was truly a first class set other peers and vendors alike to keep a itching to get out and the gradual spring up. The course was complete with many chal- broad perspective on the environment around seems to temper the mad rush to the tee. As lenging hills, a bridge, a windmill, and a plinko the Pittsburgh area. The events we have we continue preparations for the season, and board, yeah that’s right, PLINKO. Eric Wygant scheduled throughout the season provide an rounds increase, it’s good to see the course and the entire staff at Shannopin is to be excellent opportunity to do just that. back in use again. Not sure I like the cart traf- commended for their efforts, and a special fic damage but I guess you have to take the thanks goes out to the two assistant super- As always, I welcome your comments and good with the bad. intendents, Terry and Jeff, for their help in suggestions for improvement, and if you running the event, as Eric was in Florida at have any questions, please do not hesitate I want to thank all of our vendor sponsors for the time. to contact me. I look forward to another their continued support of our local associa- great year, and wish you all the best for the tion. The package programs in place for The schedule of events is published in this upcoming season. sponsorship seem to still be beneficial. We newsletter, the directory, and on the website challenge ourselves to add value to each cat- for your reference. Please add these events egory, and continue to request your input in to your calendars and plan on attending. As Toby Kiggins developing value added benefits. The organ- I have said before, your support of these Golf Course Superintendent ization serves all the members, be it individ- functions is what makes them successful, so Green Oaks Country Club ual or commercial and we take pride in our you can contribute to your own success. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS - Please let us know if you have any changes or corrections to your ad or information in the back of the newsletter - [email protected] or [email protected] PRESIDENT SECRETARY/TREASURER Toby Kiggins Jason Batchelor New Members Green Oaks Country Club Grand View Golf Club MAXWELL BLOOMQUIST VICE PRESIDENT PAST-PRESIDENT Class C Ian Hoffmann Eric Wygant CGCS Longue Vue Club Rolling Rock Club Shannopin Country Club Directors DAVID HUSAR Class C Brian Anderson, CGCS W. Eric Pockl, CGCS Nemacolin Woodlands Resort The Club at Blackthorne Westmoreland Country Club Jeff Gregos Bill Schweitzer Linden Hall Clover Hill Golf Course JOSH SAUNDERS Class SM Mark Wesolosky Dale Kuehner Longue Vue Club Seven Springs Golf Course 3 Lakes Golf Course Eric Materkowski NATHAN SZYMKOWIAK Wildwood Golf Club Class C Industrial Representatives The Club at Nevillewood Keith Perl Darrin Batisky Walker Supply Inc. Jacobsen Welcome to the GPGCSA THREE RIVERS GREEN - PAGE 2 March 6th Shannopin Country Club August TBD ERIC WYGANT, CGCS Sponsor Appreciation Outing April 23rd The Madison Club August 31st Family Outing JOHN MCCLAREN PNC Park Skyblast Night May 21st Valley Brook Country Club September 19th Hillcrest Country Club JOHN SHAW, CGCS WILLIAM COOK June 17th Westmoreland Country Club October 7th Rolling Rock Club Joint Meeting with MVGCSA GPGCSA Annual Meeting BILL STOWERS IAN HOFFMANN July 8th Allegheny Country Club Scholarship & Research Tournament DAVID DICKSON Best Sand®. Best selection. Best support. Best Sand® has long been one of the best known names in golf maintenance. With the legendary quality and playability of our bunker sands, golf mixes, fertilizer- coated and infi ll sands, it’s easy to see why. Now all the people and products of Best Sand have yet another club in their bag: the superior service and consistent support of the Fairmount Sports + Recreation team. And now more than ever, you’re the winner. www.Fairmount-Sports.com 800.237.4986 THREE RIVERS GREEN - PAGE 3 Dollar Spot Control on a Creeping Bentgrass / Poa Annua Fairway, 2012 Dr. Wakar Uddin and Brian Aynardi, Professor and Research Technician Department of Plant Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University INTRODUCTION management conditions, and mowed three times per week at a height of 0.5-inch. The soil was Hagerstown silt loam with a Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa causes seri- pH of 6.9. Treatment plots, 3 ft x 6 ft, were arranged in a ran- ous damages to turf in golf courses in almost all regions of domized complete block design with four replications. Appli- the United States, except for certain areas in the arid regions cations were made with a CO2-powered sprayer, using a of southwestern United States. Most species of turfgrass are TeeJet 11008E nozzle, at 40 psi, in water equivalent to 2 gal susceptibe to dollar spot, and the disease is particularly dev- per 1000 sq ft unless otherwise listed in the treatment column.