University of Florida University of Florida Research UpdateResearch Update

Eileen A. BussEileen A. Buss

Entomology & Nematology Entomology & Nematology Dept. University of Dept. University of

Florida/IFASFlorida/IFAS

Southern Chinch BugsSouthern Chinch Bugs((Blissus insularisBlissus insularis))

Southern Chinch BugsSouthern Chinch Bugs

1 generation occurs about every 6-8 wks1 generation occurs about every 6-8 wks Multiple generations per yearMultiple generations per year

Adults may live up to 2 months, and each Adults may live up to 2 months, and each female can lay ca. 300 eggsfemale can lay ca. 300 eggs

Populations are very aggregated; greater Populations are very aggregated; greater competition may lead to dispersal, lower competition may lead to dispersal, lower survival, longer development, & fewer eggssurvival, longer development, & fewer eggs

In colony, >70% RH is needed for survival, & In colony, >70% RH is needed for survival, & development is faster at higher development is faster at higher temperaturestemperatures

Resistance Management for Resistance Management for the Southern Chinch Bugthe Southern Chinch Bug

Determine the mechanism(s) of resistanceDetermine the mechanism(s) of resistance Penetration of cuticle, enzymatic, metabolic, Penetration of cuticle, enzymatic, metabolic,

behavioralbehavioral Evaluate cross resistanceEvaluate cross resistance Develop rotation strategies based on the Develop rotation strategies based on the

cross resistance profilecross resistance profile Test different insecticides for ovicidal activityTest different insecticides for ovicidal activity Assess the effect of nitrogen on chinch bug Assess the effect of nitrogen on chinch bug

survival, development time, and fecunditysurvival, development time, and fecundity Determine how to adjust St. Augustinegrass Determine how to adjust St. Augustinegrass

fertilization practicesfertilization practices

FertilizationFertilization

Horn & Pritchett. 1962. Fla. Turfgrass Assoc. Bull. 9:3-5.Horn & Pritchett. 1962. Fla. Turfgrass Assoc. Bull. 9:3-5. Excessive fertilization of lawns with quick-release Excessive fertilization of lawns with quick-release

inorganic N resulted in less chinch bug damage.inorganic N resulted in less chinch bug damage. Slightly less fertilization actually increased chinch Slightly less fertilization actually increased chinch

bug damage.bug damage.

Busey & Snyder. 1993. Int’l Turf. Soc. Res. Jour. 7:353-357.Busey & Snyder. 1993. Int’l Turf. Soc. Res. Jour. 7:353-357. Chinch bug populations were greater on small plots Chinch bug populations were greater on small plots

fertilized with ammonium nitrate, IBDU, or fertilized with ammonium nitrate, IBDU, or milorganite compared to non-fertilized plots.milorganite compared to non-fertilized plots.

Nitrogen Rate Test 2006Nitrogen Rate Test 2006

St. Augustinegrass pots will be treated monthly with St. Augustinegrass pots will be treated monthly with either 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 lbs soluble N/1000 sq. ft. either 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 lbs soluble N/1000 sq. ft.

12 L:12 D, 70-80% RH, and 29-3112 L:12 D, 70-80% RH, and 29-31C C

RCBD, 5 replicates RCBD, 5 replicates

1 attached runner from a pot will be inserted into a 1 attached runner from a pot will be inserted into a clear plastic container with 30 chinch bug eggs. clear plastic container with 30 chinch bug eggs.

Length of time from egg hatch to adult emergence, Length of time from egg hatch to adult emergence, percent survival, percentage of adults with long vs. percent survival, percentage of adults with long vs. short wings, ratio of males to females will be short wings, ratio of males to females will be recorded. Tibial leg length, which is correlated with recorded. Tibial leg length, which is correlated with female fecundity, will be measured with an optical female fecundity, will be measured with an optical micrometer. micrometer.

Nitrogen Effects on Nitrogen Effects on FecundityFecundity

Twenty fifth instars of similar age will be Twenty fifth instars of similar age will be placed on each 3-inch long, attached runner. placed on each 3-inch long, attached runner.

Pots and chinch bug arenas will be Pots and chinch bug arenas will be maintained in the greenhouse under 12 L:12 maintained in the greenhouse under 12 L:12 D, 70-85% RH, and 31-33D, 70-85% RH, and 31-33C. C.

Containers will be checked daily after Containers will be checked daily after nymphs have molted to adults, and eggs will nymphs have molted to adults, and eggs will be removed and counted daily for two be removed and counted daily for two months. months.

Natural EnemiesNatural Enemies

Big-eyed bugs (Big-eyed bugs (GeocorisGeocoris spp.) spp.)

Scelionid egg parasitoid (Scelionid egg parasitoid (Eumicrosoma Eumicrosoma beneficabenefica))

Anthocorids (Anthocorids (Xylocoris vicarius, Xylocoris vicarius, Lasiochilus pallidulusLasiochilus pallidulus))

Nabids (Nabids (Pagasa pallipesPagasa pallipes))

Earwigs (Earwigs (Labidura ripariaLabidura riparia))

Several ant speciesSeveral ant species

Spiders (Spiders (LycosaLycosa spp.) spp.)Reinert, J. A. 1978. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am 71: Reinert, J. A. 1978. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am 71:

728-731.728-731.

Effect of Pesticides on Effect of Pesticides on BeneficialsBeneficials

Geocoris uliginosisGeocoris uliginosis

Pesticides: Pesticides: Bifenthrin (TalstarOne): Bifenthrin (TalstarOne): 0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 ppm0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 ppm

Label rate (low to high): 47 – 94 ppmLabel rate (low to high): 47 – 94 ppm Carbaryl (Sevin SL): Carbaryl (Sevin SL): 0, 100, 1000, 10,000, and 0, 100, 1000, 10,000, and

100,000 ppm100,000 ppm Label rate (low to high): 5,472 – 7,265 ppmLabel rate (low to high): 5,472 – 7,265 ppm

No. replicates: 50 unsexed adults, <7 days No. replicates: 50 unsexed adults, <7 days oldold

Response of Response of G. uliginosisG. uliginosis to to BifenthrinBifenthrin

Treatment Rate 72 Hours Post-exposure to Sprig

(ppm) (% AI) % Moribund and/or dead

0 --- 0

1 1/10,000 12.5

10 1/1000 25.0

100 1/100 87.5

1,000 1/10 100.0

Current no. reps = 8

LC50 = 16.5

Billbug BiologyBillbug Biology

Objective: Describe the adult and larval billbug Objective: Describe the adult and larval billbug activity periods in northern and southern activity periods in northern and southern FloridaFlorida

2 golf courses in Gainesville, 1 in Miami, and 1 2 golf courses in Gainesville, 1 in Miami, and 1 in Key Largoin Key Largo

Four linear pitfall traps were placed in Four linear pitfall traps were placed in bermudagrass roughs on each course in Jan. bermudagrass roughs on each course in Jan. ‘06‘06

Adults collected weekly in 24 hr samplesAdults collected weekly in 24 hr samples Soil cores taken monthly to collect larvae and Soil cores taken monthly to collect larvae and

pupaepupae Partial funding was provided by the FTGA, Partial funding was provided by the FTGA,

FGCSA, and GCSAAFGCSA, and GCSAA

Billbugs on Florida Golf Billbugs on Florida Golf Courses (Sphenophorus Courses (Sphenophorus

spp.)spp.)

S. apicalis S. cariosis S. inaequalis S. minimus S. apicalis S. cariosis S. inaequalis S. minimus S. venatus S. venatus

vestitusvestitus

Photos by Ta-i Photos by Ta-i HuangHuang

Cultural Control of BillbugsCultural Control of Billbugs Objective: Evaluate the impact of overseeding Objective: Evaluate the impact of overseeding

with endophytic ryegrass on billbug with endophytic ryegrass on billbug populations.populations.

2 rates of 2 commercial varieties of endophyte 2 rates of 2 commercial varieties of endophyte enhanced perennial ryegrass will be enhanced perennial ryegrass will be overseeded onto a golf course in fall 2006. overseeded onto a golf course in fall 2006. Control= endophyte-free ryegrass.Control= endophyte-free ryegrass.

Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Five replicates, in a RCBD.Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Five replicates, in a RCBD. Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples will Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples will

be sifted in January and March 2007 for be sifted in January and March 2007 for billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 scale) and billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 scale) and amount of endophyte present will be assessed.amount of endophyte present will be assessed.

Biological Control of BillbugsBiological Control of Billbugs Objective: Determine the effectiveness of Objective: Determine the effectiveness of

several biopesticides against billbug larvae.several biopesticides against billbug larvae. Treatments: Treatments:

Heterorhabditis bacteriophoraHeterorhabditis bacteriophora H. indicaH. indica Steinernema carpocapsaeSteinernema carpocapsae S. riobraveS. riobrave Untreated controlUntreated control

Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Four replicates, in a Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Four replicates, in a RCBD.RCBD.

Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples will be sifted 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment will be sifted 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment for billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 for billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 scale) will be assessed.scale) will be assessed.

Chemical Control of BillbugsChemical Control of Billbugs

Objective: Evaluate preventive and curative Objective: Evaluate preventive and curative insecticides against larvae and adultsinsecticides against larvae and adults

Treatments:Treatments: Allectus 0.81 SC (2 rates), Arena, Merit 2F, Merit Allectus 0.81 SC (2 rates), Arena, Merit 2F, Merit

0.5G, several rates of thiamethoxam, 0.5G, several rates of thiamethoxam, TalstarOne, Talstar G, Dylox, and an untreated TalstarOne, Talstar G, Dylox, and an untreated controlcontrol

Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Four replicates, in a RCBD.Plots: 10 x 10 ft. Four replicates, in a RCBD. Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples Evaluations: Five 4-inch cupcutter samples

will be sifted 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment will be sifted 4 and 8 weeks post-treatment for billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 for billbugs. Turf color and density (0-9 scale) will be assessed. scale) will be assessed.

Partial funding provided by Bayer ES and Partial funding provided by Bayer ES and SyngentaSyngenta

Greenbug AphidsGreenbug Aphids

Pest of grains & grassesPest of grains & grasses In Florida, main host is In Florida, main host is

seashore paspalumseashore paspalum Feeding causes yellow or Feeding causes yellow or

red leaf spots, tip “burning”red leaf spots, tip “burning” Females reproduce without Females reproduce without

matingmating One generation takes only One generation takes only

7-9 days at temps of 60-7-9 days at temps of 60-8080°°FF