AG1158 Ornamental,Tree and Turf Pest Control Commercial Applicator – Classification 4 Noncommercial Applicator – Classification 9 Training Manual Cooperative Extension Service University of Arkansas, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating Edited by: Dr. John D. Hopkins, Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Contributors: Dr. John Boyd, Professor and Extension Weed Scientist, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Dr. John D. Hopkins, Professor and Extension Urban Entomologist, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Dr. Rebecca McPeake, Professor and Extension Specialist - Wildlife, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Dr. Stephen Vann, Assistant Professor and Extension Plant Pathologist, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (retired) 2 Preface This manual provides information for the Arkansas commercial pesticide applicator wishing to become certified in Classification 4 – Ornamental, Tree and Turf Pest Control – and the noncommercial pesticide applicator wishing to become certified in Classification 9 – Ornamental, Tree and Turf Pest Control. To become a certified applicator in the desired category, a candidate must pass both a general standards exam and pass an examination based primarily on the material presented in this manual and (Circular 6) Arkansas Pest Control Law (Act 488 of 1975, as amended). Information covered in the general standards examination is contained in “A Guide for Private and Commercial Applicators: Applying Pesticides Correctly.” Refer to (Circular 6) Arkansas Pest Control Law (Act 488 of 1975, as amended) for specific requirements for Classification 4 and 9. The Arkansas State Plant Board administers the examinations. Up-to-date study materials can be obtained from the Arkansas State Plant Board, #1 Natural Resources Drive (P.O. Box 1069), Little Rock, AR 72203-1069, phone (501) 225-1598. Additional study information may be obtained from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, the pesticide label, current publications on the subject, pesticide distributors and manufacturers. Acknowledgments Information accumulates from direct observations, scientific literature and anecdotes from others. Information from these sources blurs together quickly, and consequently, unique ideas are rare in society. Credit for sources of information on ornamental and turf pest control and management must go to Land Grant University extension and research workers in the areas of entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, and weed science who continually work to maintain and update ornamental and turf pest management information. In addition, thanks go to pest control industry workers who hold train­ ing sessions nationally, regionally, and locally where information is disseminated among the experi­ enced and provided to the inexperienced, the Environmental Protection Agency whose personnel molded modern training and influenced the need for national uniformity in training requirements, and also to state regulatory personnel who cooperate with universities and industry and who strongly emphasized the importance of training. This training material has been adapted from commercial applicator certification training manuals for ornamental and turf pests developed by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University; Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the Texas A&M University System; and University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Special thanks go to Jim Criswell, Extension Pesticide Coordinator, Gerrit Cuperus, Extension IPM Coordinator, Ken Pinkston, Extension Entomologist, Richard Price, Professor, Entomology, Don Arnold, Survey Entomologist, Janette Jacobs, Assistant Extension Plant Pathologist, Sharon von Broembsen, Extension Plant Pathologist, Mike Schnelle, Extension Horticulturist, Mark Andrews, County Extension Horticulture Agent, Mike Kenna, Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Joel Barber, Assistant Professor, Turfgrass, Douglas Montgomery, Extension Assistant, Turfgrass, Randy Taylor. Extension Assistant, Agricultural Engineering, Willard Downs, Associate Professor, Agricultural Engineering – all with Oklahoma State University – and Loren Bode and Stephen Pearson, Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Illinois; Mark A. Matocha, Extension Program Specialist, and Don L. Renchie, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M University, Texas Cooperative Extension; Clyde L. Ogg, Extension Educator - Pesticide Education, and Dean Herzfeld, Coordinator, Health, Environmental and Pesticide Safety program, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension; and George N. Agrios, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida for their kind permission to adapt their respective manuals. Further acknowledgements go to Jeffrey F. Derr, Weed Scientist, Virginia Tech, for his information on landscape fabrics for weed control, and to Lisa M. Williams-Whitmer, Margaret C. Brittingham, and Mary Jo Casalena, College of Agricultural Science, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for their information and help in preparing the goose management sections. 3 Table of Contents Page No. Ornamental Pest Management . .5 Introduction to Ornamental Pest Management . .7 Cultural Management for Ornamental Plants . .10 Diseases of Landscape Ornamentals . .19 Insects and Mites Affecting Ornamentals . .28 Ornamental Weed Control . .57 Vertebrate Pests (Ornamentals) . .71 Calibration of Commercial Pesticide Application Equipment (Ornamentals) . .77 Pesticide Use Problems (Ornamentals) . .97 Selected Ornamental References and Study Material . .107 Ornamental Glossary . .110 Turfgrass Pest Management . .119 Introduction to Turfgrass Pest Management . .121 Turfgrass Management . .122 Turfgrass Diseases . .128 Turfgrass Insects . .135 Turfgrass Weeds . .147 Vertebrate Pests (Turf) . .161 Pesticide Application . .166 Selected Turfgrass References and Study Material . .177 Turfgrass Glossary . .179 The pesticide information presented in this publication was current with federal and state regulations at the time of printing. The user is responsible for determining that the intended use is consistent with the label of the product being used. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow label directions. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied. 4 Ornamental Pest Management 5 Introduction to Ornamental Pest Management What Is IPM? • Host plant resistance. Host plant resistance is a critical part of any manage­ Integrated pest management (IPM) is ment system. Host plant resistance is the based on the philosophy of using various ability of the plant to prevent pest buildup strategies to optimize the environmental, or tolerate pests without damage to the economic and sociological consequences of a plant itself. This is a critical component and the basis of an effective IPM program. management system. IPM is a systematic For example, selecting a Chinese elm approach to plant protection that emphasizes (Ulmus parvifolia) will help avoid problems increased information for improved decision- with the elm leaf beetle. making. By understanding the ecological aspects of the system, pest populations can be • Cultural practices. Cultural practices, or minimized with less effort using various care of plants and the surrounding environ­ control measures. The concept of IPM is not ment, can determine whether pests or abi­ new and is widely implemented on field crops otic problems, such as sunscald or drought, throughout the United States and the world. develop and how long plants can survive. Implementation in the urban environment has Cultural management includes proper special challenges because of aesthetic con­ fertility, proper plant selection, watering, siderations, lack of ornamental damage accept­ soil structure and reduced competition from ance data, lack of demand by the public and adjacent plants. the difficulty in dealing with a multitude of • Physical/mechanical practices. Many different plants with different management times, physically reducing pests by mowing, requirements in a small area. hoeing or trimming can provide an easy, These constraints have changed dramatically economical alternative to using pesticides. with an increase in the interest of people living in By reducing direct competition through urban areas and those working in educational careful tillage or mulching around the base environments. of plants, the life and appearance of the plants can be enhanced. Also, avoiding physical or mechanical damage to plants IPM, Ecology and can greatly improve a plant’s survival and Management reduce potential pest problems. Wounds in trees caused by weedeaters or other tillage equipment can shorten the life of plants by IPM incorporates ecological principles into a making them susceptible to either insect or management program. Management strategies disease infestation. are integrated into an ecologically based system that includes: • Pesticides. Pesticides should be viewed as a salvage treatment to prevent significant • Proper selection and placement of damage to plant materials. While pesticides plant materials.