Controlling Annual White Grubs, Billbugs, Black Turfgrass Aetaneuis, and Caterpillars in Golf Turf
As insect pests move and become more problematic in new geographies, superintendents have to react with expanded control programs. Here’s some advice:
- Insects on the move:
- Annual white grubs (Japanese beetles, chafers, European chafers, etc.) are moving west into the Rocky Mountain States as well as into the Pacific Northwest. Once present in a geography, white grubs will become a permanent problem in turf
- Billbugs (hunting, bluegrass) are present throughout the country, but 2021 brought more reports of turf damage, especially in the Midwest
- Caterpillars are also present throughout the country, but 2021 was a banner year for fall armyworm with damage reports as far north as Minnesota and Michigan
- Insecticide options – pest problems including insects are most effectively controlled preventatively with long-lasting products like Merit® or Envu’s Tetrino® which brings faster uptake and quicker control compared to other similar active ingredients
- Application timing:
- Best practice is to start applications for white grubs, billbugs, or caterpillars when adults are seen since damaging larvae are still 1-3 weeks in the future
- Watering-in – depends on the primary insect target
- If targeting primarily soil borne insects like grubs or billbugs, water in insecticides
- Merit– > 0.5 inch of irrigation
- Tetrino – 0.125-0.25” of irrigation, this will not decrease efficacy on caterpillars
- If targeting primarily foliar feeders like caterpillars, watering-in is not essential with Tetrino
- Need more info - Contact your Envu area sales manager if you need assistance
Approximate timing for preventative control of annual white grubs, billbugs, and caterpillars. Regardless of the pest, most effective application timing is when adults are present.
|
Insect Pest |
Late May - |
July |
Aug-Sep |
Notes |
|
Annual white grubs |
|
Merit® 0.4 lbs ai/A |
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Water-in with > 0.5”
|
|
|
Tetrino® 32 oz/A |
|
Water-in with > 0.125-25” Will also control caterpillars later in the summer |
|
|
Billbugs and/or |
Merit
|
|
|
Water-in with > 0.5” Will also control white grubs later in summer, but may require additional application if marginal summer weather or in high pressure areas |
|
Tetrino |
|
|
Water-in with > 0.125-25” |
|
|
Early summer caterpillars |
Tetrino |
|
|
No watering in needed If also targeting white grubs, use 32 oz/A and/or consider a second application when adult beetles are seen |
|
Fall caterpillars |
|
|
Tetrino |
No watering in needed Will provide immediate knockdown plus residual control for 45-60 days depending on rate |
White grub control should be applied when adults like these Japanese beetles are detected (Envu)
Controls for black turfgrass Aeteneuis should be applied when adults are detected in the mower baskets (Envu)
