ABW status in late August in New Jersey

Annual bluegrass weevils (ABW) seem to have been rather quiet on my golf courses and my research plots at Rutgers Hortfarm No. 2 in New Brunswick. We do find some pockets of higher adult numbers, but overall the adult densities are fairly low. No significant damage anywhere. Other problems have been much more prevalent like wet wilt and high disease and weed pressure.

After a hot July (3.3°F above the 30-year average) with average (4.70” at Pine Brook Golf Course, Manalapan, NJ) to high (7.69” at Rutgers Hortfarm No. 2) rainfall, August turned out to be on the cooler side (2.0°F below average thus far) with low rainfall (0.55” – 1.33” at the above sites). The 7-day forecast is also on the cool (Highs/Lows: 77 – 85°F/53 – 65°F) and dry (no rain) side. Hopefully, we will not settle into the drought conditions we had last year in late summer to mid-fall.

If there are any ABW larval densities on the higher side, they may result in some damage during the dry days, but this potential should be attenuated by the generally cooler temperatures per forecast. Nonetheless, keep your eyes open and monitor areas with a history of ABW damage. Look out for yellowing of Poa annua and bronzing (orange-tan appearance) of creeping bentgrass. While damage by ABW to bentgrass seems to be more in the southern fringe of the pest’s distribution, there have been observations on bentgrass damage around our latitude.

If necessary, treat with Ference, MatchPoint or Suprado. To reduce selection for insecticide resistance, Provaunt (not if ABW population highly pyrethroid resistant), Tetrino and Dylox (not if any signs of resistance) should be considered if you have already used the prior materials earlier this season. Regular monitoring combined with spot treatments as necessary is a good approach to reduce the development or worsening of insecticide resistance in ABW.

ABW status in late August in New Jersey

Annual bluegrass weevils (ABW) seem to have been rather quiet on my golf courses and my research plots at Rutgers Hortfarm No. 2 in New Brunswick. We do find some pockets of higher adult numbers, but overall the adult densities are fairly low. No significant damage anywhere. Other problems have been much more prevalent like wet wilt and high disease and weed pressure.

After a hot July (3.3°F above the 30-year average) with average (4.70” at Pine Brook Golf Course, Manalapan, NJ) to high (7.69” at Rutgers Hortfarm No. 2) rainfall, August turned out to be on the cooler side (2.0°F below average thus far) with low rainfall (0.55” – 1.33” at the above sites). The 7-day forecast is also on the cool (Highs/Lows: 77 – 85°F/53 – 65°F) and dry (no rain) side. Hopefully, we will not settle into the drought conditions we had last year in late summer to mid-fall.

If there are any ABW larval densities on the higher side, they may result in some damage during the dry days, but this potential should be attenuated by the generally cooler temperatures per forecast. Nonetheless, keep your eyes open and monitor areas with a history of ABW damage. Look out for yellowing of Poa annua and bronzing (orange-tan appearance) of creeping bentgrass. While damage by ABW to bentgrass seems to be more in the southern fringe of the pest’s distribution, there have been observations on bentgrass damage around our latitude.

If necessary, treat with Ference, MatchPoint or Suprado. To reduce selection for insecticide resistance, Provaunt (not if ABW population highly pyrethroid resistant), Tetrino and Dylox (not if any signs of resistance) should be considered if you have already used the prior materials earlier this season. Regular monitoring combined with spot treatments as necessary is a good approach to reduce the development or worsening of insecticide resistance in ABW.