Goal: Alert and arm the Northeast against exotic Tipula crane flies

Main Activities:

• Delimiting field surveys
  
• Ecological studies
  
• Efficacy trials
  
• Web-based resources
  
• Establish lab colony

Funding: NYSTA, GCSAA, WNY GCSA, NYS IPM

This line of research and extension is in response to the establishment of two European crane flies that are injurious in turfgrass and other horticultural systems. First detected in extreme western New York in 2004, Tipula oleracea and Tipula paludosa pose a tremendous risk to the state’s $5.1 billion turf industry. Both species have spread considerably across the state and are well established in the Buffalo/Niagara and Rochester areas. They have been indicted in severe turf injury on golf courses as well as home lawns. We are conducting studies to alert and arm the turfgrass industry in New York and surrounding states. Without our efforts, the spread of these unwanted invasives will take place unchecked by a prepared and informed industry. There are 3.4 million acres of potentially susceptible turf in New York State alone, plus the likelihood of threats to other crops.

Our current studies include (a) documention of the first detection in the eastern U.S. with summaries of distribution, invasion history and recognition, (b) summary of their geographic distribution, incidence and impact three years after first detection, (c) field trials on golf courses and home lawns to evaluate a range of control products, (d) habitat selection and phenology and (e) molecular diagnostics for the identification of life stages.

Our efforts are needed because it is inevitable that problems caused by local crane fly outbreaks will intensify and that crane flies will invade and establish over a wider area of the eastern (and Midwestern) U.S. We need a rapid, broad and coordinated response to prepare relevant stakeholders, especially those that straddle the leading edge of the expanding problem. Because the Northeast has no experience with crane fly pests, there is an urgent need to develop and disseminate best management practices. The region requires information on how to detect, identify and monitor for the presence of these new pests, as well as the tools to suppress populations if they become problematic. Since first detection in New York, our efforts have focused on establishing where the two species occur, how their impact is expressed, how they can be diagnosed, and what control products will suppress them over the short term. No other states in the Northeast have the opportunity to study European crane flies in the field, yet they may be hosting them within a few years. Based on our new information and experience, we are well positioned to identify and fill the most critical knowledge gaps, gauge opportunities for reduced-risk control products, and map out the most promising management strategies for the long term suppression of European crane flies problems by formulating best management practices.

Damage due to severe European crane fly infestation on a residential lawn, Ontario, Canada (Photo A. Schattmann).

Related Publications:

European crane fly larvae, or “leatherjackets” (Photo D. Peck, NYSAES)

Olmstead, D. & D.C. Peck. Submitted. Preventive control of European crane fly larvae on golf course roughs, autumn 2006. Submitted to Arthropod Management Tests.

Peck, D.C. & D. Olmstead. Submitted. Curative control of European crane fly larvae on golf course roughs, spring 2006. Submitted to Arthropod Management Tests.

Peck, D.C., A. Morales & D. Olmstead. Submitted. European crane fly management on golf course roughs, fall 2005. Submitted to Arthropod Management Tests.

Peck, D.C. 2007. Not another one! An exotic crane fly invades Michigan turfgrass. The Landsculptor, Michigan Green Industry Association. In press.

Peck, D.C. & D. Held. 2007. Crane flies. In: Lamp, Berberet, Higley & Baird (eds.) Handbook of Forage and Rangeland Insects. Entomological Society of America. In press.

Peck, D.C. 2006. European crane flies (also known as leatherjackets), Tipula paludosa Meigen and Tipula oleracea L. Electronic fact sheet (English and Spanish versions), NYS IPM Program Fact Sheet Series (www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/turfgrass/default.asp).

Peck, D.C., E.R. Hoebeke & C. Klass. 2006. Detection and establishment of the European crane flies Tipula paludosa Meigen and Tipula oleracea L. (Diptera: Tipulidae) in New York: a review of their distribution, invasion history, and recognition. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Washington 108(4): 985-994.

Peck, D.C. & A. Morales. 2006. European crane fly management on golf course roughs, 2005.Arthropod Management Tests, G46. 2 pp.

Related Presentations:

Olmstead, D. & D.C. Peck. 2007. Update on the European crane fly and Hyperodes weevil. Finger Lakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents, Education Day. 03/07/07 (scheduled).

Olmstead, D. & D.C. Peck. 2007. Status of European crane fly in turfgrass the Northeast. January Symposium, Northeastern Golf Course Superintendents Association, Latham, NY. 01/10/07.

Peck, D.C. 2007. Three years post-invasion: status of European crane flies in turfgrass of the Northeast. Symposium: Status updates on invasive insects of concern in the Northeast. Eastern Branch meeting, Entomological Society of America, Harrisburg, PA. 03/19/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2007. Status of European crane fly in turfgrass of the Northeast. Adirondacks Regional Conference, NYS Turfgrass Association, Lake Placid, NY. 03/27/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2007. Alerting and arming the Northeast to invasive European crane flies, new pests of turfgrass. Western Pennsylvania Turf Conference, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Association, Pittsburgh, PA. 03/07/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2007. Status of European crane fly in turfgrass of the Northeast. Western NY Regional Conference, NYS Turfgrass Association, Amherst, NY. 03/05/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2007. European crane flies: status of a new invasive pest of turfgrass. Trade Show & Education Day, Central NYS Nursery & Landscape Association, Skaneateles Falls, NY. 02/07/07.

Peck, D.C. 2007. Current status of European crane flies in turfgrass of NY. Winter Education Day & Trade Show, Gardenscape Professionals Association, Pittsford, NY. 02/01/07.

Peck, D.C. 2007. Current status of European crane flies in turfgrass of NY. Harrell’s Education Meeting, Bayer, Rochester, NY. 01/31/07.

Olmstead, D. & D.C. Peck. 2006. Invasive Tipula crane flies in the Northeast: impact and control alternatives on golf courses. Entomological Society of America national conference, Indianapolis, IN. 12/10/06.

Peck, D.C. 2006. Two years post-invasion: status of exotic Tipula crane flies in the Northeast. Turf Entomology Research Meeting, Arysta LifeScience, Jacksonville, FL. 10/17/06.

Peck, D.C. 2006. Status of European crane flies in turfgrass of the Northeast. Empire State Green Industry Show, Rochester, NY. 11/15/06.

Peck, D.C. 2006. Update on invasive crane flies in New York. Western NY Golf Course Superintendents Association, Lockport, NY. 07/20/06.

Peck, D.C. & D. Olmstead. 2006. Invasive Tipula crane flies in the Northeast: geographic distribution and local incidence in turfgrass. Entomological Society of America national conference, Indianapolis, IN. 12/10/06.

Olmstead, D. & D.C. Peck. 2005. The European crane fly takes NY. Western NY Golf Course Superintendents Association, Buffalo, NY. 12/06/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Turfgrass pest alert: leatherjackets (Diptera: Tipulidae) cross into western New York (poster). Eastern Branch meeting, Entomological Society of America, Harrisburg, PA. 03/20/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. The European crane fly takes NY. Empire State Green Industry Show, Rochester, NY. 11/17/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Invasive crane flies. Finger Lakes Association of Golf Course Superintendents, Irondequoit, NY. 11/10/05

Peck, D.C. 2005. European crane fly. Western NY Golf Course Superintendent’s Association, Buffalo, NY. 05/23/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Turfgrass pest alert: leatherjackets (Diptera: Tipulidae) cross into western New York (poster). Cornell Turfgrass and Horticulture Field Day. 05/21/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Crane flies: a new turf pest. Western NY Regional Conference, NYS Turfgrass Association, Amherst, NY. 03/07/05.

Peck, D.C. 2004. Turfgrass pest alert: leatherjackets (Diptera: Tipulidae) cross into western New York (poster). 2004 Turf and Grounds Exposition, NYSTA, Rochester, NY. 11/16/04.