Goal: Improve management by filling ecological knowledge gaps

Main Activities:

• Intensive field surveys
  
• Manipulative field experiments
  
• Studies on directional movement
  
• Developing and validating degree-day models

Funding: NYSTA, USGA, CNY GCSA, Multistate Hatch

This line of research and extension is in response to the burgeoning impacts of annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis) in high-maintenance turf of the northeast U.S. Once largely a problem of metropolitan New York, it has expanded in range and impact to affect the entire Northeast, Ontario and Quebec and into the Mid-Atlantic. Control failures are increasingly common for this pest of golf course putting greens, tees and fairways. In the best-case scenario, control is achieved with one well-timed perimeter spray targeting overwintered adults in the spring, but it is not uncommon for superintendents to make 2-5 applications per season. This situation is largely due to a targeting problem, i.e., our poor ability to predict when the susceptible life stages occur and can be targeted, and where on the golf course outbreaks are expected. Evidence for pyrethroid resistance in some populations also complicates the situation. 

We are therefore conducting a series of studies to interpret the association between annual bluegrass weevil and the golf course landscape. Our goal is to strengthen our understanding of what goes on at the overwintering sites in protected off-course areas, what goes on at the developmental sites on low-cut turf, and what the nature of flux is between those two habitats.

Our current studies include (a) patterns of variation in the popuilation fluctuations and phenology, (b) calendar and degree-day models to predict population development, (c) overwintering biology and directional movement, and (d) prospecting for host plant resistance among improved cultivars of annual bluegrass produced through the breeding program of David Huff at Pennsylvania State University

Our results are improving our ability to predict and target annual bluegrass weevils in space and time. For instance, the preliminary degree-day model shows a high level of precision for predicting the timing of larvae and adults from the spring generation. This should help target new control alternatives that are being evaluated by collaborators across the Northeast, members of the Multistate Regional Project NE-1025 ("Biology, Ecology and Management of Emerging Pests of Annual Bluegrass on Golf Courses"). Other results have led us to propose a new conceptual model of flux between habitats, based on orientation of flying adults to defined tree lines. Defining this behavior will strengthen our ability to target control tactics in space and time against this major turf pest.

Related Publications:

Diaz, M.D. & D.C. Peck. Submitted. Overwintering of annual bluegrass weevils, Listronotus maculicollis (Dietz) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the golf course landscape.

Peck, D.C., M.D. Diaz & M. Seto. Submitted. Annual bluegrass weevil (also known as the “Hyperodes” weevil), Listronotus maculicollis Dietz. Electronic fact sheet (English and Spanish versions), NYS IPM Program Fact Sheet Series (www.nysipm.cornell.edu/ factsheets/turfgrass/default.asp).

Peck, D.C. & M.D. Diaz. 2007. Challenges and perspectives for managing the annual bluegrass weevil. Cornell University Turfgrass Times. Accepted.

Diaz, M.D. 2006. Population dynamics, phenology and overwintering behavior of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis Dietz (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the golf course landscape. M.S. Thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 92 pp.

Peck, D.C. & M. Diaz. 2005. Challenges and perspectives for managing the annual bluegrass weevil. In: D. Gimenez & B. Fitzgerald (eds.) Proceedings of the 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ (13-14 Jan). pp. 23-24.

Peck, D.C. & M. Diaz. 2005. Challenges and perspectives for managing the annual bluegrass weevil. Clippings, New Jersey Turfgrass Association. Fall, vol. 60, pp. 20-21.

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).

Peck, D.C. 2007. Managing the

Damage due to severe annual bluegrass weevil infestation on a golf course fairway and tee box, Fayetteville, NY (Photos M. Diaz, NYSAES)

annual bluegrass weevil: lessons from the past, challenges of the present and visions for the future. Adirondacks Regional Conference, NYS Turfgrass Association, Lake Placid, NY. 03/27/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2007. Ecology and management of the annual bluegrass weevil in golf course landscapes. Western Pennsylvania Turf Conference, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Association, Pittsburgh, PA. 03/07/07 (scheduled).

Peck, D.C. 2006. Understanding and combating the annual bluegrass weevil. Empire State Green Industry Show, Rochester, NY. 11/16/06.

Seto, M., M.D. Diaz & D.C. Peck. 2006. Variation in population parameters of the annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with respect to golf course habitats. Entomological Society of America national conference, Indianapolis, IN. 12/11/06.

Diaz, M. & D.C. Peck. 2005. Phenology of the annual bluegrass weevil in golf course landscapes. Entomological Society of America national conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 12/17/05.

Diaz, M. & D.C. Peck. 2005. Population fluctuations of the annual bluegrass weevil in golf course landscapes. Eastern Branch meeting, Entomological Society of America, Harrisburg, PA. 03/20/05.

Diaz, M. & D.C. Peck. 2005. Chasing the weevil: understanding annual bluegrass weevil biology and ecology. Empire State Green Industry Show, Rochester, NY. 11/15/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Annual bluegrass weevil in the golf course landscape. New Jersey Turfgrass and Landscape Expo, Atlantic City, NJ. 12/07/05.

Peck, D.C. 2005. Recognizing, understanding and combating the annual bluegrass weevil. Ontario Turf Conference, University of Guelph, ON. 02/22/05.

Peck, D.C. & M. Diaz. 2005. Challenges and perspectives for managing the annual bluegrass weevil. 14th Annual Rutgers Turfgrass Symposium. Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. 01/13/05.

2005. Annual bluegrass weevil in the golf course landscape: population fluctuations, dispersal and overwintering. Cornell Turfgrass and Horticulture Field Day. 05/21/05.

Peck, D.C. 2003. Ecology of the annual bluegrass weevil. Central NY Golf Course Superintendent’s Association Meeting, Lafayette, NY. 12/09/03.

Peck, D.C. 2003. Ecology of the annual bluegrass weevil. 2003 Turf and Grounds Exposition, NYSTA, Rochester, NY. 11/05/03.