Golfdom, February 2019

February 2019 Golfdom 37 Golfdom com the fluorescence resulting in superexcitation of the marked weevil Figure 2a b We used a custom made photo box 12 inch width by 12 inch depth by 18 inch height to hold the camera and flash over each observational arena and to block out sunlight Figure 3 The camera and flash were threaded through holes in the lid of the box to ensure consistency of height between photos With the NIGHTSEA filter system we could take a still image of the turfgrass canopy at regular intervals and any insect on top of the canopy would fluoresce The downside was that we could not continuously or remotely monitor movement but instead we had to have someone physically move the camera box from observational arena to observational arena taking photos every hour on the hour This was done for 24 hour periods in April May and June This novel mark recapture system confirmed laboratory findings that adult activity was affected by temperature and not light Adult weevil activity on top of the turfgrass canopy was greatest during the day and strongly correlated with temperature early in the season April May Figure 4 However adult presence on the surface in early summer was greatest briefly after sunrise then declined during the midmorning when temperatures exceeded 70 degrees F The effect of temperature on surface activity in all months was best described by a model that predicts maximum adult surface activity between 57 degrees and 63 degrees F STRONG TEMPERATURE ASSOCIATION Our findings suggest that ABW adult surface activity is strongly associated with temperature Therefore scheduled mowing with the intent to remove adults may need alterations throughout the season Although most operations must mow the putting surfaces first thing in the morning to prepare the course for the day and to stay ahead of golfers performing a second dry cut to improve ball roll or possibly vacuuming surfaces when temperatures are between 57 degrees and 63 degrees F may provide improved adult control Altering daily mowing routines to increase mechanical removal may not be necessary in the summer if early morning temperatures are in the optimal surface activity range we observed in the June field studies This study has other benefits to turfgrass managers than just mechanical control Successful pest management depends on monitoring pest activity We have observed that several of our monitoring techniques e g vacuum sampling soap flushing are more successful when the insects are active Timing regular scouting activities when temperatures are in the optimal temperature range minimizes the likelihood of missing an infestation This research also has implications for chemical management The adulticides used to control ABW adults are short residual contacts We may improve contact insecticide efficacy by using our temperature model if less plant material will be between the insect and the toxin at application or if the insect moves through the residue We will investigate this in the upcoming field season as a possible new cultural control method It is my hope that these studies lead to simple efficacious and cost effective solutions that superintendents can implement along with or in lieu of current management plans G Acknowledgements This work was partially funded with a grant from the United States Golf Association USGA regional golf course superintendent groups Central Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents Finger Lakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents Greater Pittsburgh Golf Course Superintendents Association Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association Mid Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents Mountain and Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association Northeastern Golf Course Superintendents Association Northwest Pennsylvania Golf Course Superintendents Association Old Dominion Golf Course Superintendents Association Western New York Golf Course Superintendents Association and support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch project 1006804 Ben McGraw Ph D is associate professor of turfgrass science at The Pennsylvania State University References Czyzewski B D and B A McGraw 2017 Mowing height influences Listronotus maculicollis Coleoptera Curculionidae oviposition behavior and mechanical removal from golf course putting greens but not larval development J Econ Entomol 110 2165 2171 McGraw B A and A M Koppenhöfer 2017 A survey of regional trends in annual bluegrass weevil Coleoptera Curculionidae management on golf courses in eastern North America J Integr Pest Manage 8 2 11 Based on the article Czyzewski B D and B A McGraw In press Detection of Listronotus maculicollis Coleoptera Curculionidae turfgrass canopy activity with the use of a novel fluorescent marking system suggests opportunities for improved mechanical control Environmental Entomology https doi org 101093 ee nvy156 THE ABCS OF ABW Companies featured in this issue ADVERTISER PAGE AMVAC 13 Cub Cadet CV4 FAIRWAYiQ CV3 FMC 7 Frost Inc 32 Grigg 19 Hunter 10 11 NuFarm 4 PBI Gordon Corp 40 41 Plant Food Company Inc 32 POGO Turf Pro 3 PondHawk by LINNE Industries 25 Quali Pro 16 17 Smithco CV2 p1 Standard Golf Company 39 The Andersons 27 Toro 5 Turfco 31 Yamaha 23 This index is provided as an additional service The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions Ad Index