Annual Bluegrass Weevil
Photo: B. McGraw

Adults of the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) spring generation have started to emerge in significant numbers over the last few days at Rutgers Hortfarm 2 in New Brunswick and at golf courses in North Jersey. Peak densities of new ABW adults should occur throughout the central and northern New Jersey and the NY metropolitan area over the next 1-2 weeks.

These spring-generation adults mate and will start laying eggs quickly. The resulting second generation is present predominantly as large larvae around late July-early August, when additional damage — usually less severe than spring damage — may occur. The second generation pupates in August and starts emerging as adults around mid-August.

Areas where significant adult densities are observed (directly, in clippings, with soap irritant, or by vacuum sampling) in late June-early July may need to be treated. However, overuse of insecticides, particularly of pyrethroids, is likely to lead to the development of pesticide-resistant ABW populations. To avoid this highly undesirable scenario insecticides should be applied only where and when necessary and pyrethroids should be used no more than once per year. [Read more…]

By Jim Murphy

Back on May 24, I posted about my observation of crabgrass emerging in areas that had very thin turf cover and very high levels of crabgrass seed in the soil. Crabgrass is now emerging from areas with healthier turf and good density (and has not received a preemergence herbicide application). Recent and forecast rains are likely to intensify crabgrass pressure over the coming days and weeks. It is time to start scouting areas for breakthrough of crabgrass, if this is a concern. Postemergence control options were summarized in my earlier post. Click here to access Dr. Stephen Hart’s fact sheet on crabgrass and goosegrass control.

You can see our herbicide evaluation trials (synthetic and organic products) during the Rutgers Turfgrass Research Field Days on 30 and 31 July 2013 at Hort Farm No. 2 in North Brunswick NJ. Register online for one or both days; click here to register.

Source: Read More on the Rutgers Turf Blog