**ALERT**

Major Insect activity this time of year

Sod webworm:

DAMAGE DESCRIPTION:

Irregular small yellow to brown patches, enlargeand coalesce; signs of feeding activity on both leaves and stems; close examination reveals silk-lined burrows near turf surface where larvae remain in daytime; foliar chewing insect; cranberry girdler larvae also feed on roots; all occur in temperate cool climates, except tropical sod webworm and grass webworm, which are found more in warmer humid climate; turf damage most severe in sunny areas during moist weather in summer; larvae slender, grayish to brown to black spotted caterpillar, from 9 to 20 mm long; adult is tan to grayish to brown moth with snout like projection from head, wing span 20 to 25 mm, folded close to body when at rest; accumulation of green pellets (frass) on thatch of damaged turf.

HOST GRASSES:

Most turfgrasses, especially: Bermudagrasses and Bluegrasses

Others: Bentgrasses, Centipedegrass, Fine Fescues, Kikuyugrass, Perennial ryegrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass

LIFE CYCLE:

Adults rest in shrubbery and sheltered areas during day, at night they drop eggs on turf during flight or lay eggs on grass shoots; eggs hatch in 1 week; larvae feed nocturnally for 3 to 4 weeks; 6 to 10 instars; life cycle is 5 to 8 weeks; 2 to 4 generations.

FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE INSECT DAMAGE:

Attracted to high quality, vigorous turf; monitor for signs of infestation; seemed to be attracted to new sod as well.

CULTURAL CONTROL:

Monitor turf well; use detergent solution to bring worms to the surface; birds searching for worms are good sign; look for moths flying over turf in early morning-also fly out of grass when disturbed; thatch control; numbers greatest usually in late summer; some endophyte cultivars in Fescues and Ryegrasses.

CHEMICAL CONTROL:

Apply control in late afternoon or evening, with irrigation delayed as long as possible.

Chinch bug damage in lawns

Dave Smitley, Entomology

In early August, brown patches began to appear in some home lawns. They can start as lots of small patches of damage that may grow together into large dead patches. You can tell if chinch bugs were the cause by examining the thatch and soil surface around the dead patches. If chinch bugs are responsible you will see lots of small (1/8 inch-long) black bugs scurrying for cover. Treat the infested spots with Scimitar, Talstar, Tempo or Delta-Gard to keep the damage from getting worse. The bugs should be all done by early September. Thatchy Kentucky bluegrass lawns or mixtures of bluegrass and fescue are a favorite of chinch bugs.

http://www.ipm.msu.edu/CAT04_land/L08-13-04.htm#5

Emerald Ash Borer :

Emerald ash borer found in Bay County.

Information from State of Michigan

http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1568_2390_18298-88246--,00.html