Category: Pest Control

The photos below were submitted to our laboratory for identification.  While there are no animals present in the photos, the damage depicts the problem very nicely. Even without seeing any, I am quite certain that the turf is infested with...

We captured the first Japanese beetle adults of the year last week in our traps on the Purdue Campus. These traps are located in an area where emergence tends to take place much earlier than at most locations, so don’t...

Black Cutworms have started showing up in light traps around Indiana. This means they will soon laying eggs, if they haven’t already.  Superintendents should be on the lookout for evidence of feeding damage on greens and tees. Also, remember that...

This photo was submitted from a golf course where it was found tunneling into a green.  It is obvious that it is creating some damage but the astute manager was able to find and photograph the beetle in association with...

Spread the word – Cicada killers are wimps! Unfortunately, because of their size and the fact that they often live in lawns and landscapes close to where people live, cicada killers evoke a great deal of anxiety.  These wasps are...

Whenever I give my ‘General Insect Pest’ presentations I include a couple of photos of chinch bugs and their nymphs.  Usually I say something like “These are not pests every year in Indiana but can become troublesome in years when...

Below is an e-mail conversation that may be of benefit to other turfgrass managers asking similar questions. Original message:   From: Golf Courses Date: Friday, June 22, 9:30 AM To: Gibb, Timothy "Gibb, Timothy" <gibb@purdue.edu> Subject: Japanese Beetles Management in...

This season continues to challenge our traditional thinking about insect seasonal ecology and management. Indiana and neighboring states are currently witnessing serious billbug infestations with late instar billbug larvae already present in the soil.  This activity is easily 2-3 weeks...

Not surprisingly, the early spring warm-up has resulted in a frenzy of early season insect activity. We were out in the field earlier this week to get a handle on just how far ahead insect activity may be this year...

Scientists make turfgrass safer for animals, deadly for insects September 6, 2011 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The right combination of compounds produced by a beneficial fungus could lead to grasses that require fewer pesticides and are safer for wildlife and...

June 28/11. We are reporting very high numbers of black cutworm moths in traps right now. These numbers are, in fact, higher than we have seen in many years. What this means to you is that there is a possibility...

The Plant and Pest Diagnostic Lab (PPDL) has recently received several samples of Norway spruce and white pine with symptoms that appear to be associated with injury caused by synthetic auxin (growth regulator type) herbicides. Typical off-target symptoms caused by...

In addition to earthworms, there are several insects that can create small mounds of soil above the surface of turfgrass. Usually such mounding is of minimal consequence and, in fact, is beneficial to turfgrass environments as it accomplishes the same...

Zoysia grass is a warm-season grass that is being more frequently used in warm, humid and transitional regions. As zoysia is becoming more frequent in our state we are learning more about the pests that attack it. The photograph below...

Sod webworms may cause damage to closely mowed turfgrass early in the spring. Damage, similar to that depicted in the photos below, may be seen on golf tees and greens. The overwintered caterpillars become active when the temperatures warm up...

We continue to receive reports of spring-time turfgrass damage caused by raccoons or skunks. These animals are not feeding on the grass but rather are foraging for below ground, high populations of white grubs. As the vertebrates forage, they turn...

Spring is almost upon us and overwintering white grubs will soon be emerging from the depths to continue feeding for a short time before they pupate. These overwintering grubs typically spend the frigid months of December – February deep in...

Moles are back in the limelight!. These small subterranean, tunnel-making pests are causing big frustrations for those managing turfgrass and landscapes.  Mole damage is most common during the spring and fall. The only two methods of effectively controlling moles are...

The following letter and pictures were sent to us for identification. There was a buzz of follow-up letters and communication afterward indicating that maybe this is not just an isolated occurrence.  I have enclosed the initial letter, accompanying photographs and...

With a warm and wet summer, we are experiencing decline in some of our turf around the state due to temperatures, disease, insects, and weeds. In response, we are publishing a four part series on this topic to help turfgrass...