DAMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Shallow burrows uproot turfgrass plants and soil during nocturnal tunneling, with grasses dying of dessication; root feeding also occurs; typically dig a gallery of tunnels from 2 to 3 inches below soil surface, with some extending below 12 inches; can cover 10 to 20 feet in a night; no known natural predators; adults 1 ¼ inch long and ½ inch wide, covered with fine hairs; has distinct broad, shovel-like fore legs used in burrowing; southern is greenish gray with light markings on thorax; tawny is larger with creamy to dark brown color; tawny is more active feeder on roots; soil inhabiting insect; prefers sandy to sandy loam soil; most severe turf damage occurs in late summer-early fall; plus in the spring.
HOST GRASSES:
Most warm season turfgrasses, especially: Bahiagrass and Bermudagrasses
LIFE CYCLE:
Mating flights during early spring; females lay eggs in chambers below soil surface; nymphs hatch and feed nocturnally on roots, with 6 to 8 instars, adults emerge in late summer and early autumn; new generation overwinters and completes its life cycle the following spring; one generation per year; during cooler weather they tunnel farther into the soil to escape freezing temperatures; nocturnal insects are most active when night temperatures are above 60 degrees F.
FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE INSECT DAMAGE:
Damage more severe under close mowing and in moist soils, usually just after a rain or irrigation; sandy or sandy loam type soil.
CULTURAL CONTROL:
Carefully monitor the turf for tunneling mole crickets when conditions favor this insect. Treat promptly.; soil mapping of abundant populations is advised; use of liquid detergent may be used as an irritant and drive them to the surface.
CHEMICAL CONTROL:
Control is most effective if the soil is moist when treated and when applied late in the day; proper timing is critical; 2 per square foot is threshold; best control when nymphs are small; baits can be effective too.
| Specific Insecticide Recommendations | ||||
|
Insecticide (chemical name) |
Efficacy |
Application Interval |
Time of Year To Apply |
Example of Products (trade names |
| Bifenthrin | Good to Excellent | 10 to 14 days | Spring to Fall | Talstar |
| Imidacloprid | Good to Excellent | 10 to 14 days | Spring to Fall | Merit |
| Lambda-cyhalothrin | Good to Excellent | 10 to 14 days | Spring to Fall | Battle, Scimitar |
| Carbaryl (bait) | Good | 10 to 14 days | Spring to Fall | Sevin |
REFERENCES:
Beard, J. B. 2002. Turfgrass Management for Golf Courses. Second Edition. Ann Harbor Press. Chelsea, Michigan..
Decker, H. F., Decker, J. M. 1988. Lawn Care-A Handbook for Professionals. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Liskey, E., “Turfgrass Insecticides”, Grounds Maintenance, Volume 37, Number 2, February 2002, pp. 8-10.
Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Turfgrass Management. Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Taylor, G. R. - Editor. 2000. Turfgrass Pesticide Recommendations 1999-2000. Extension Publication SCS-1991-01. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Duble, R. L. 2001. Turfgrasses-Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone. Second Edition. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Emmons, R. D. 2000. Turfgrass Science and Management. Third Edition. Delmar Thomson Learning. Albany, New York.