Mole Cricket Control on Golf Course Fairways in North Carolina, 1994

Abstract

Abstract A bermudagrass fairway at Fox Squirrel Country Club in Brunswick Co., NC was used to evaluate rates and methods of application of four granular insecticides for control of the newly hatched nymphs of the tawny mole cricket. Plots 12 ft × 80 ft were established in an area showing damage from a moderate infestation and the treatments were randomly assigned with four replicates. Broadcast treatments were applied using a standard push type Lesco fertilizer spreader to deliver the appropriate amount of insecticide to the plots. All other treatments were applied using a tractor drawn Candy® slit-seeder modified for granular formulation application and operating at 1.9 mph to place the materials one inch deep in the soil. Treatment took place on 21 Jul. The soil was 68°F (4 inch) and moist at the time of application. Soil type was mineral with 0.5% humic matter and a pH of 5.2. The entire test was irrigated with 0.5 inch of water after the chemicals were applied. Pretreatment sampling showed the presence of young nymphs. Plots were evaluated on 9, 18, 25 Aug and 8 Sep (19, 28, 35, and 49 DAT, respectively). Damage evaluations were conducted using a damage rating grid (Dr. Pate Cobb, Auburn University) divided into 9 squares. Plots were evaluated by randomly placing the grid in each plot and examining each subsection of the grid for fresh damage. A damage rating is given from 0 to 9 depending on the number of squares that contain fresh damage. This was done twice in each plot and the damage averaged. All data were transformed Vx + 0.5 prior to analysis. Actual means are presented in the table.