Fall Control of Oriental Beetle Grubs with Granular Insecticides and Entomogenous Nematodes on a Golf Course, 1987

Abstract

Abstract Four insecticides and 1 species of entomogenous nematode were applied to a rough at Fresh Meadow Country Club, Great Neck. Long Island, N.Y., on 12 Aug for control of Oriental beetle grubs. The fairway consisted of Kentucky bluegrass (35%), annual bluegrass (45%), and braoadleaf weeds (20%). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with 4 replications. Individual plots were 10 × 10 ft. Granular materials were applied with a precalibrated Gandy 2.5 spreader. At treatment time (12 Aug) the following environmental conditions existed: air temperature, 84°F; soil temperature, 68°F (1 inch), 67°F (3 inches); soil pH 5.1; water pH 6.65; soil moisture, 23.8%; soil texture, 11.1% coarse sand, 50.9% medium sand, 23.3% fine sand, 8.1% very fine sand, and 5.7% silt and clay; thatch, minimal. Following treatment, the plots received 0.5 inches of irrigation by sprinkler. The nematodes, Heterorhabditis sp. (strain HP 88), were applied on 20 Aug at a rate of 5 billion/acre in 5 liters of water through a sprinkling can to the center 4 sq ft of each plot. The nematode application site was immediately watered in by hand for a total of 11.4 liters. Posttreatment counts were taken on 21 Sep by cutting a 1- × 3-ft strip lengthwise through the middle of each plot by hand and examining the sod and underlying soil for grubs. A 3-sq-ft sample of sod was examined in each plot, and the surviving grubs were counted. Grub species identifications were made in the field. At this time Oriental beetle grubs were 80% third instars and 20% second instars.