[Arid_gardener] bob sod insect question

[Linda Drew]

THere are a number of white grubs that could cause a problem.

"Biological Control
Tiphiid wasps are common parasites of masked chafers, but may not 
consistently be effective in reducing grub populations below damage 
thresholds. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora are commercially available 
parasitic nematodes that can effectively control masked chafers. Steinernema 
carpocapsae nematodes are not effective.

Cultural Control
Establishing warm-season grasses may reduce white grub damage. Thorough 
spike-aeration of turf also kills significant portions of white grub 
populations when they are feeding close to the soil surface.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
Carefully dig around roots of grass to detect white grubs. If the 
infestation is heavy, the turf may be loose and easy to roll back like a 
carpet. (For more information on monitoring, see GENERAL INFORMATION.) 
Threshold levels on greens are low; if you detect more than one grub per 
square foot on greens, treatment should be undertaken. In other turfgrass 
settings, up to six grubs per square foot can usually be tolerated.

Current chemical control options are most effective against early instar 
larvae (less than 0.5 inch long). Grubs may take up to 10 days to die 
following contact with an insecticide, so wait at least this long to 
evaluate insecticide efficacy. Adult activity generally occurs during the 
period from mid-June to July. Optimum timing for treatment is 3 to 4 weeks 
following peak adult activity. "
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r785301311.html

For more information:

http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/bugs/maskedchaferbeetle.htm
http://cals.arizona.edu/urbanipm/turf/insectcontrol.html

Linda Drew
Master Gardener volunteer

>From: <jwalters38 at cox.net>
>Reply-To: jwalters38 at cox.net
>To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] bob sod insect question
>Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:10:47 -0700
>
>Hi
>I read a post of yours on a turf forum and thought you might be able to 
>help.  I've just come back from a 2 week trip to find my Bob sod dying out 
>in an approximately 10x12' section.  After mowing today, I was able to pull 
>up chunks of turf/dirt that had white round wormlike insects in it.  
>Actually, rather infested.  They don't look like any worms I've ever seen 
>and I'm suspected grubs.  Do grubs attack grass?  There is a mesquite 
>nearby but?  What treatment options would you suggest?  Can I save the 
>grass?  I've had the sod for four years and it's been fantastic.  I'd 
>appreciate any help you can provide.
>Thanks.
>Julie Walters
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>Arid_gardener mailing list
>Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
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