Destructive Turfgrass Insects Biology, Diagnosis, and Control

by Potter, Daniel A.

• ISBN13: 9781575040233
• ISBN10: 1575040239
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-05-16
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

"...the most useful, practical book I have seen on the management of turfgrass insect pests...mandatory reading for turfgrass managers in golf, lawns, and sports..." -Dr. James B. Beard, International Sports Turf Institute, Inc. Written in clear, everyday language, Destructive Turfgrass Insects covers the biology, diagnosis, and control of virtually all the insects and mites that attack warm- and cool-season turfgrasses. No other source gives you as many practical and comprehensive management guidelines for use on golf courses, lawns, and sports fields.

Author Biography

Daniel A. Potter is a professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky, where he has taught courses and conducted research on turfgrass insects since 1979. He received his B.S. degree from Cornell University in 1974, and his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in 1978. Dr. Potter is a worldwide authority on insect pests of turf and woody landscape plants, and his research on white grubs, cutworms, and other pests has been widely noted by the green industry. He has published well over 100 scientific papers and book chapters, and dozens of trade journal articles. Dr. Potter has been a Keynote Speaker at the International Turfgrass Research Conference, and has lectured in Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, and throughout the United States. His research has been funded by the U.S. Golf Association, the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Potter has received several professional awards for service to the green industry, as well as the Distinguished Achievement Award in Urban Entomology from the Entomological Society of America.

Table of Contents

1. Managing Turfgrass Insect Pests	1	(18)
Introduction	1	(2)
Value and Benefits of Turf	3	(2)
Turfgrass Structure and Adaptation	5	(3)
Common Turfgrasses from an Entomological Perspective	8	(4)
Integrated Pest Management	12	(1)
Control Options in IPM	13	(5)
Is Integrated Pest Management a Realistic Goal?	18	(1)
Selected References	18	(1)
2. Insect Biology and Identification	19	(22)
Introduction	19	(1)
Using the Right Words	20	(1)
Insect Parts List and Assembly Instructions	20	(4)
Blood and Guts (Internal Anatomy)	24	(2)
How Insects Grow	26	(2)
The Habits of Insects	28	(1)
Classification of Insects	29	(6)
Diagnosis and Identification	35	(1)
Diagnostic Key to Common Insects and Related Pests of Turf	36	(4)
Selected References	40	(1)
3. Detection and Monitoring of Insect Pests	41	(14)
Why Sample and Monitor?	41	(1)
Where to Sample and Monitor	42	(1)
How to Sample and Monitor	42	(7)
When is the Best Time to Treat?	49	(2)
Deciding if Treatment is Justified	51	(2)
Selected References	53	(2)
4. Insecticides Types and Modes of Action	55	(16)
Trade Names, Common Names, and Chemical Names	56	(1)
Insecticide Toxicity	56	(3)
Types of Synthetic Insecticides Used on Turf	59	(3)
Biorational Insecticides	62	(5)
Insecticide Formulations	67	(2)
Selected References	69	(2)
5. Using Insecticides Safely	71	(22)
The Tangled Web of Compliance	71	(2)
How (and Why) to Read a Pesticide Label	73	(2)
Using Pesticides Safely	75	(1)
Harmful Effects and Emergency Response	76	(5)
What to Do in Case of Pesticide Poisoning	81	(1)
Personal Protective Equipment	82	(4)
Storing, Transporting, and Disposing of Pesticides	86	(3)
Are Insecticides Safe?	89	(2)
Selected References	91	(2)
6. Using Insecticides Effectively	93	(14)
Target Principle Basis for Control with Insecticides	93	(2)
Why Insecticide Treatments Sometimes Fail	95	(8)
Additional Considerations	103	(2)
Calculations to Save You Money	105	(1)
Interpreting Insecticide Research	105	(1)
Selected References	106	(1)
7. Safeguarding the Environment	107	(8)
Reducing Hazards of Insecticides to Birds	107	(1)
Reducing Hazards of Insecticides to Fish	108	(2)
Protecting Honeybees	110	(1)
Preserving Earthworm Populations	110	(1)
Preserving Beneficial Insects and Spiders	111	(1)
Protecting Groundwater	112	(1)
Selected References	113	(2)
8. Root-Infesting Insect Pests	115	(52)
Australian Sod Fly	115	(1)
Dichondra Flea Beetle	116	(1)
European Crane Fly or Leatherjacket	117	(1)
Ground Pearls	118	(2)
March Flies	120	(1)
Mole Crickets	121	(8)
White Grubs Introduction	129	(5)
Managing White Grubs in Turf	134	(31)
Aphodius Grubs	140	(1)
Asiatic Garden Beetle	141	(2)
Black Turfgrass Ataenius	143	(3)
European Chafer	146	(3)
Green June Beetle	149	(3)
Japanese Beetle	152	(6)
May Beetles	158	(2)
Northern and Southern Masked Chafers	160	(3)
Oriental Beetle	163	(2)
Selected References	165	(2)
9. Pests that Burrow in Stems or Damage Crowns	167	(14)
Annual Bluegrass Weevil	167	(3)
Billbugs Introduction	170	(7)
Bluegrass Billbug	171	(4)
Denver Billbug	175	(1)
Hunting Billbug	176	(1)
Other Billbugs	177	(1)
Frit Fly	177	(2)
Selected References	179	(2)
10. Pests that Suck Juices and Discolor Leaves and Stems	181	(26)
Bermudagrass Scale	181	(1)
Buffalograss Mealybugs	182	(1)
Chinch Bugs	183	(7)
Hairy Chinch Bug	184	(4)
Southern Chinch Bug	188	(2)
Greenbug	190	(3)
Leafhoppers	193	(1)
Rhodesgrass Mealybug (=Rhodesgrass Scale)	194	(1)
Two-Lined Spittlebug	195	(2)
Mite Pests of Cool-Season Turfgrasses	197	(6)
Banks Grass Mite	198	(1)
Brown Wheat Mite	199	(1)
Clover Mite	200	(2)
Winter Grain Mite	202	(1)
Mite Pests of Warm Season Turfgrasses	203	(2)
Bermudagrass Mite	203	(1)
Buffalograss Mite	204	(1)
Zoysiagrass Mite	205	(1)
Selected References	205	(2)
11. Insects That Chew Leaves and Stems	207	(28)
Armyworms in General	207	(6)
Armyworm	207	(2)
Fall Armyworm	209	(3)
Lawn Armyworm	212	(1)
Cutworms in General	213	(7)
Black Cutworm	214	(4)
Bronzed Cutworm	218	(1)
Granulate Cutworm	219	(1)
Variegated Cutworm	219	(1)
Sod Webworms: Temperate-Region Species	220	(5)
Sod Webworms: Tropical-Region Species	225	(2)
Grass Webworm	225	(1)
Tropical Sod Webworm	226	(1)
Various Turf-Infesting Caterpillars	227	(6)
Burrowing Sod Webworms	227	(1)
Cranberry Girdler (=Subterranean Webworm)	228	(1)
Fiery Skipper	229	(1)
Lucerne Moth	230	(1)
Striped Grassworm (=Grass Looper)	231	(1)
Vegetable Weevil	232	(1)
Selected References	233	(2)
12. Biting and Stinging Pests in the Turf Environment	235	(18)
Introduction	235	(1)
Chiggers	235	(1)
Cicada Killers and Sand Wasps	236	(2)
Fleas	238	(2)
Harvester Ants	240	(2)
Red Imported Fire Ant	242	(4)
Ticks	246	(3)
Wasps (Paper Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets)	249	(2)
Selected References	251	(2)
13. Nuisance Pests and Innocuous Invertebrates	253	(10)
Ants Nuisance Species	253	(2)
Centipedes	255	(1)
Crayfish	256	(1)
Earthworms	257	(1)
Earwigs	257	(1)
Millipedes	258	(1)
Periodical Cicada	259	(1)
Short-Tailed Cricket	260	(1)
Slugs and Snails	260	(1)
Sowbugs and Pillbugs	261	(1)
Selected References	262	(1)
14. Beneficial Invertebrates: Predators, Parasitoids, and Thatch Busters	263	(12)
Importance of Natural Enemies	264	(7)
Ants	264	(1)
Big-Eyed Bugs	265	(1)
Green Lacewings	266	(1)
Ground Beetles and Tiger Beetles	266	(1)
Lady Beetles	267	(1)
Rove Beetles	267	(1)
Scoliid Wasps	268	(1)
Spiders	269	(1)
Tiphiid Wasps	270	(1)
Other Predators and Parasitoids	271	(1)
Thatch Busters	271	(3)
Earthworms	272	(1)
Oribatid Mites	273	(1)
Springtails	273	(1)
Selected References	274	(1)
15. Managing Nuisance Wildlife Problems in the Turfgrass Environment	275	(22)
Birds in General	276	(1)
Canada Geese	276	(2)
Chipmunks	278	(2)
Moles	280	(5)
Nine-Banded Armadillo	285	(1)
Opossums	286	(1)
Pocket Gophers	287	(2)
Raccoons	289	(2)
Shrews	291	(1)
Skunks	291	(2)
Voles (Meadow Mice)	293	(2)
Selected References	295	(2)
Appendix 1. Sources of Local Information	297	(4)
Appendix 2. Reference Books and Periodicals	301	(2)
Appendix 3. Sources of Pest Management Equipment	303	(2)
Appendix 4. Weights and Measurements	305	(2)
Glossary of Terms	307	(16)
Index	323
Pesticide Emergency Hotline Numbers (on back inside cover)