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| BILLBUG SYMPTOMS AND MANAGEMENT | |
| LIFE CYCLE::Eggs
are laid between leaf sheaths and hatch in 4-5 days.
Young larvae burrow into grass stems, feeding and
tunneling. Large larvae will burrow out and feed on the
crown. 1-2 generations per year. FEEDING SYMPTOMS: Stems turn straw colored and die in a scattered fashion. Can feed on roots, crowns, and stolons. Turf will easily pull up.
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MANAGEMENT: Avoid stress-induced root
or crown damage with sensible irrigation and
fertilization. Biological control—Fungus Beauveria and parasitic nematode (Steinernema carpocapsae) Chemical control—Best strategy is Spring or early season pesticide application to target adults emerging from hibernation sites and prior to egg laying (soil surface temperature at one inch/25 mm depth = 67-69 F or 19.4-20.6 C). Systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid (MERIT) and halofenozide (MACH 2) are effective if applied when adults become active and prior to egg hatching. Contact insecticides: isofenphos (OFTANOL), chlorpyrifos (DURSBAN), bifenthrin (TALSTAR). |
