Academic literature on the topic 'Chinch-bugs – Control'

Abstract A grid of 4 ft by 4 ft plots separated by 1 ft wide buffer strips was established on a home lawn with an infestation of chinch bugs in Okemos, MI. On 23 Jul precounts were made by observing each 4 ft by 4 ft plot for a 2 min period, all larvae and adults were counted. The chinch bugs were determined to be in the 2nd to 5th instar at the time of the pre-spray sample and application. The treatments were grouped into blocks based on these counts. Six replications of each treatment were treated between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm on 23 Jul. Each 16 ft2 plot was considered a replicate. Granular products were evenly applied over the plot with hand-held shakers. Liquid products were applied with a single nozzle, hand-held CO2 sprayer from R&D Sprayers. Applications were made at 50 psi through an 8003 flat fan nozzle for 12 sec (175 gal/acre). The postcounts were made on 30 Jul in all plots. Each plot was observed for 6 min.

Abstract The study was conducted on a buffalograss lawn in Lincoln, NE. The turf was maintained at a mowing height of 3.5 inches and thatch accumulation in the plot area was 0.25 inches. Field conditions at the time of application were: soil type, silty clay loam; soil organic matter, 3-5%; soil pH, 6-7; water pH, 7.0; soil moisture, near field capacity. Plots were 4 × 4 ft and the experimental design was a RCB with 3 replications’. Insecticide treatments were applied 2 Sep. Prior to application, the plot area was mowed to 1.5 inches. Treatments were applied with a CO2 sprayer using a LF-4 tip at 24 psi and delivering 5 gal finished spray/1000 ft2. Immediately following application, plots were syringed with 0.25 inches water. A total of 0.29 and 0.68 inches of rain fell respectively, during the 7 and 14 day post-treatment periods. Product efficacy was evaluated 9 and 16 Sep (7 and 14 DAT) by removing from each plot three turf-soil cores to a depth of 1 inch with a 4.25-inch diam cup cutter (0.3 ft2 total area per plot). Cores were returned to the laboratory and placed in Berlese funnels. Extracted chinch bugs were counted after 48 hr.

Indian mustard trap crops have successfully reduced pesticide use on commercial cabbage in India. Diamondback moth has been a serious pest of cabbage in Texas and has demonstrated resistance to most classes of insecticides. Use of a trap crop could fit well in an integrated management program for cabbage insects, Three-row plots of spring and fall cabbage were surrounded by successive single-row plantings of Indian mustard in trials at Lubbock, Texas to determine the efficacy of interplanting for reducing insecticide applications. Insects in the cabbage and Indian mustard were counted twice weekly, and insecticides were applied selectively when economic thresholds were reached. Indian mustard was highly attractive to harlequin bugs, and protected intercropped spring cabbage. Cabbage plots without mustard required two insecticide applications to control the infestation. False chinch bugs were also highly attracted to Indian mustard. Lepidopterous larvae, including diamondback moth, did not appear to be attracted to the trap crop. Indian mustard trap crops reduced insecticide applications to spring cabbage but had no positive effect on fail cabbage.

Abstract The study was conducted on a buffalograss lawn in Lincoln, NE. The turf was maintained at a mowing height of 3.5 inches and thatch accumulation in the plot area was 0.25 inches. Field conditions at the time of application were: soil type, silty clay loam; soil organic matter, 3-5%; soil pH, 6-7; water pH, 7.0; soil moisture, near field capacity. Plots were 4 × 4 ft and the experimental design was a RCB with 4 replications. Insecticide treatments were applied 3 Sep. Prior to application, the plot area was mowed to 1.5 inches. Treatments were applied with a CO2 sprayer using a LF-4 tip at 24 psi and delivering 5 gal finished spray/1000 ft2. Immediately following application, plots were syringed with 0.25 inches water. Product efficacy was evaluated 8 Sep (5 DAT) by removing from each plot three turf-soil cores to a depth of 1 inch with a 4.25-inch diam cup cutter (0.3 ft2 total area per plot). Cores were returned to the laboratory and placed in Berlese funnels. After 48 hr extracted chinch bugs were counted.

Abstract The efficacy of selected insecticide treatments was compared with that of an untreated control at the Macon Ridge location of the Northeast Research Station near Winnsboro, LA. Corn seed was planted in a Gigger silt loam (pH = 6.1, 1.1% organic matter) on 27 Mar in 2-row plots (40 inch centers) X 40 ft. Treatments were arranged in a RCB design with four replications. Treatments were applied with a handboom and a CO2-charged delivery system calibrated to deliver 10 gpa through 8002 flat-fan nozzles (2/row) at 28 psi. Insecticides were applied on 14 May to V5 stage corn plants. Ten plants/plot were randomly chosen for sampling on 16 and 20 May. Total numbers of chinch bugs were recorded by visually examining mainstems of the plant and leaf sheaths. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and means were separated according to DMRT. Rainfall did not influence the results of this test.

Chinch bugs of the genus Blissus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) are serious pests of maize, wheat, sorghum and various grasses. This study is the first to screen isolates of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae against 4th instar and adult Blissus antillus aiming to develop a biological control program for this important pasture pest. Ten fungal isolates were initially screened and three isolates were chosen for further investigation. To determine virulence, insects were inoculated by immersion in concentrations of 5 ´ 10(8) conidia mL-1. Mortality was evaluated for 10 days. B. bassiana ARSEF 792 was the most virulent isolate to both nymphs and adults, causing 53 and 78% infection, respectively, and values for LT50 of 7.8 and 5.0 days, respectively. Germination studies were carried out to confirm viability and determine speed of germination as a pathogenicity factor. The production of conidia on the cadavers of insects infected with the three selected isolates was determined. The production of conidia on rice media was also evaluated. B. bassiana CG 24 produced the highest number of conidia on insects cadavers (14.9 ´ 10(7) conidia per insect) and also on rice media (10.6 ´ 10(9) conidia per g).

Abstract The efficacy of selected insecticide treatments applied as in-furrow granules at planting (IFGAP), T-banded granules (TBAND) and seed treatments (SEEDT) was evaluated for control of the RIFA at the Macon Ridge Branch of the Northeast Research Station in Franklin Parish, LA. The test was planted no till with a John Deere 7300 planter into a bermuda grass sod containing a high density of RIFA mounds. Plots consisting of 4 rows (40 inch centers) by 30 ft were planted on 3 May in a RCB with 4 replications. RIFA no. were estimated on 1 Jun by placing an unruled index card (3X5 inches) baited with peanut butter in each plot and recording the no. of ants attracted after 3 h. No. of chinch bugs were obtained on 15 Jun by counting the no. per 20 plants in the 2 center rows. Plant stand densities were recorded on 31 May by sampling the entire 2 center rows in each plot. Plant heights were estimated on 31 May by measuring 20 plants in each plot. Intra-row plant skips were recorded on 13 Jun by counting the no. of skips > 12 inches per plot.

Abstract The insecticidal efficacy, effect on plant growth and corn seed yields of selected treatments applied as in-furrow sprays at planting (IFSAP) and in-furrow granules at planting (IFGAP) were compared to that of an untreated control. Native winter vegetation was allowed to cover the test area. An application of Gramoxone X-tra (1.5 pt/acre) was applied 2 wk pre-plant to terminate all vegetation. All plots also received atrazine 4L (3.0 pt/acre) + Roundup D-pack (3.0 pt/acre) at planting. Plots consisted of 4 rows (40 inch centers) × 45 ft. Treatments were arranged in a RCBD with 3 replications. Corn was planted no-till in a Gigger silt loam (pH = 5.9, 1.1% organic matter) on 30 Mar with a John Deere 7300 planter modified to apply treatments through a granular applicator hopper box or as a directed spray into the seed furrow. IFSAP treatments for Lorsban were applied with a CO2-charged system calibrated to deliver 5 gal total spray/acre through 8002E flat fan nozzles (1/row) at 40 psi. Numbers of chinch bugs were recorded on 2 May by sampling 20 plants in each plot. Cutworm damage to plants was determined by recording all damaged plants on the center 2 rows of each plot weekly for 3 wk after plant emergence to obtain a cumulative summary. Plant stand density was measured on 16 May by sampling the entire 2 center rows of each plot. Plant height was determined on 19 May by taking an average of 20 plants/plot. Yields were measured by harvesting the 2 center rows of each plot on 16 Aug. The entire test was furrow irrigated throughout the season and rainfall was not a factor influencing final yields.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The grain chinch bug, Macchiademus diplopterus, is an endemic pest of cultivated grain crops and wild grasses in the south-western Cape region of South Africa. In early summer when host plants dry out, adult grain chinch bugs aggregate in large numbers in shelter sites in surrounding areas and enter into aestivation. These shelter sites sometimes include the stalk or calyx ends of fruit, and shelter-seeking bugs can also contaminate export fruit cartons, consequently posing a phytosanitary/quarantine risk to importing countries. Presently, there are no feasible pre- or post-harvest control measures to manage this quarantine risk. The aggregating behaviour of grain chinch bugs suggests the involvement of pheromones. Therefore, investigating the chemical ecology of grain chinch bugs for potential use in control measures is the focus of the first research chapter of this study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to identify headspace volatiles collected from aggregating bugs. Olfactometer bioassays were conducted to assess the attractiveness of each gender to separate sexes, individual compounds and a mixture of the compounds as a formulated lure. The lure was tested in field trapping trials with delta and bucket traps. In the bioassays with the live insects the response of each gender to live females was greater than the responses of each gender to live males, suggesting that females may disseminate the pheromones more efficiently than males. The following eight volatile compounds were indentified from the GC-MS analysis: hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol, (E)-2-hexenyl acetate, (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-octenol, (E)-2-octenyl acetate and tridecane. In the bioassays with individual compounds, three of these eight compounds, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, and tridecane, elicited attraction of both females and males. The formulated lure was attractive to both males and females in the laboratory bioassay, but this attraction was not evident in the field. In the field, there was only one occasion when a significantly higher number of bugs were caught in baited traps compared to unbaited traps. Trap catches were very low compared to the actual level of infestation in the field which was evident from corrugated cardboard bands tied around tree trunks which contained many sheltering bugs. The low trap catches seen in the field were partly due to competition between the synthetic pheromone lure and the natural pheromones emitted by aggregating live insects. Also, the characteristic shelter-seeking behaviour of grain chinch bugs influenced trap catches, as more bugs were found in places that provide shelter, like cardboard bands and walls of the delta traps. This behavior of aestivating bugs could be used to the advantage of trapping bugs by integrating sheltering sites into traps in future trials. Also, the lure needs to be improved for optimum efficiency in the field. The second research chapter also addresses the quarantine risk posed by grain chinch bugs, by investigating the thermal biology of bugs to ultimately facilitate the development of effective post-harvest treatments. Critical thermal minimum and maximum temperatures (CTmin and CTmax) of both active and aestivating bugs were subjected to critical thermal limits analysis. The CTmin and CTmax of aestivating bugs were not affected by gender (p > 0.05). There was a decrease in CTmin from the active period into aestivation for both males (2.8°C to 1.0°C (± 0.1)) and females (2.1°C to 0.6°C (± 0.1)). Also, for CTmax there was an increase in tolerance from the active period into the aestivation period for both males (49.9°C to 51.0°C (± 0.1)) and females (49.9°C to 51.5°C (± 0.1)). To determine the plasticity of grain chinch bug thermal tolerance, aestivating bugs at 27 weeks into aestivation, were acclimated at different temperatures and photoperiods [18°C (10L:14D) and 26°C (16L:8D)] for a period of seven days. Both low (18°C) and high (26°C) acclimation temperatures and photoperiods increased CTmin of aestivating grain chinch bugs at 14 weeks from 0.8°C to -1.2°C and -0.1°C (± 0.1) respectively. However, CTmax was not altered by acclimation temperatures (p > 0.82). Field temperatures at collection sites were recorded to compare to grain chinch bugs thermal tolerance levels exhibited in the laboratory. These results, as well as the effects of acclimation treatments on the CTmin of bugs, have implications for post-harvest treatments, and understanding the quarantine risk posed to importing countries. The information generated from this study can be used to further advance the development of both effective pre-harvest and post-harvest control measures to reduce grain chinch bug quarantine risk.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die graanstinkluis, Macchiademus diplopterus, is 'n endemiese plaag van aangeplante graangewasse en wilde grasse in die Suidwes Kaap-provinsie van Suid-Afrika. In die vroeë somer wanneer gasheerplante uitdroog, soek groot getalle volwasse graanstinkluise skuiling in die omliggende gebiede en gaan in ʼn somerrusperiode. Hierdie skuilplekke sluit soms die stam of kelk eindes van vrugte in en graanstinkluise kan ook uitvoer-vrugte kartonne kontamineer. Gevolglik word lande wat vrugte uit Suid-Afrika invoer, aan die fitosanitêre kwarantynrisiko van stinkluisbesmetting blootgestel. Tans is daar nie haalbare voor- of na-oes beheermaatreëls om hierdie kwarantyn risiko te bestuur nie. Die aggregasiegedrag van graanstinkluise dui op die betrokkenheid van ʼn feromoon. ‘n Ondersoek van die chemiese ekologie van die graanstinkluis vir moontlike gebruik in beheermaatreëls is die fokus van die eerste gedeelte van hierdie studie. Gaschromatografie-massaspektrometrie (GC-MS) is gebruik om die vlugtige organiese verbindings in die bodamp van die saamgetrosde stinkluise te identifiseer. Olfaktometriese biotoetse is uitgevoer om die aantreklikheid van die insekte vir die teenoorgestelde geslag te bepaal, asook van die individuele verbindings en 'n mengsel van die verbindings as 'n geformuleerde lokmiddel in lokvalle. Die lokmiddel is getoets in veldproewe met deltatipe en emmertipe lokvalle. In die olfaktometriese biotoetse met die lewende insekte is die reaksie van beide geslagte teenoor lewende wyfies groter as die reaksie van die geslagte teenoor mannetjies, wat daarop dui dat wyfies die feromoon meer doeltreffend as mannetjies versprei. Die volgende agt verbindings is geïdentifiseer met behulp van GC-MS-analise: heksanaal, (E)-2-heksenaal, (E)-2-heksenol, (E)-2-heksenielasetaat, (E)-2-oktenaal, (E)-2-oktenol, (E)-2-oktenielasetaat en tridekaan. In die biotoetse met individuele verbindings het drie van die agt verbindings, hexanal, (E)-2-hexenal, en tridecane, lokaktiwiteit vir beide geslagte getoon. Die geformuleerde lokmiddel was aantreklik vir beide geslagte in laboratorium toetse, maar soortgelyke lok is nie in die veld gevind nie, waar daar net een keer 'n aansienlike groter getal graanstinkluise met lokmiddel gevang is in vergelyking met lokvalle sonder lokmiddel. Die getal graanstinkluise in lokvalle was baie laag in vergelyking met die werklike vlak van besmetting in die veld, wat duidelik geblyk het uit die getalle graanstinkluise wat skuiling gesoek het in die geriffelde karton bande wat om boomstamme vasgemaak was. Die lae lokvalvangste in die veld was deels te wyte aan die kompetisie tussen sintetiese feromoon en die natuurlike feromoon van saamgetrosde insekte. Die kenmerkende aggregasiegedrag van graanstinkluise het lokvalvangste beïnvloed, aangesien meer stinkluise gevind is in plekke wat skuiling bied, soos die kartonbande en die binnekant van die delta-lokvalle. Hierdie skuilings van graanstinkluise kan in toekomstige proewe uitgebuit word deur vir meer skuilplek in lokvalle voorsiening te maak. Die formulering en die aanbieding van die lokmiddle moet ook verbeter word vir 'n optimale doeltreffendheid in die veld. In die tweede hoofstuk word die kwarantynrisiko van die graanstinkluis aangespreek deur die ondersoek van die termiese biologie van stinkluise om uiteindelik die ontwikkeling van doeltreffende na-oes behandelings te fasiliteer. Kritiese termiese minimum en maksimum temperature (CTmin en CTmax) van beide aktiewe en rustende graanstinkluise is bepaal deur analise van die kritiese termiese beperkings van die insek. Die CTmin en CTmax van rustende graanstinkluise is nie geraak deur geslag nie (p > 0.05). Daar was 'n afname in CTmin van die aktiewe tydperk tot in rus, vir beide manlike (2.8°C tot 1.0°C (± 0.1)) en vroulike insekte (2.1°C tot 0.6°C (± 0.1)). Ook vir die CTmax was daar 'n verbetering in toleransie vanaf die aktiewe tydperk tot in die rusperiode vir beide manlike (49.9°C tot 51.0°C (± 0.1)) en vroulike insekte (49.9°C tot 51.5°C (± 0.1)). Om die aanpasbaarheid van die termiese toleransie van die graanstinkluis te bepaal, is graanstinkluise 27 weke na aanvang van die rusperiode geakklimatiseer by verskillende temperature en fotoperiodes [18°C (10L: 14D) en 26°C (16L: 8D)] vir 'n tydperk van sewe dae. Beide lae (18°C) en hoë (26°C) akklimatiseringstemperature en fotoperiodes het onderskeidelik die CTmin van rustende graanstinkluise op 14 weke verhoog van 0.8°C tot -1.2°C en -0.1°C (± 0.1). Daar is egter geen effek op CTmax deur akklimasie temperature nie (p > 0.82). Veldtemperature is ook bepaal om te vergelyk met graanstinkluis termiese toleransie vlakke wat in die laboratorium bepaal is. Hierdie resultate, sowel as die gevolge van die akklimasie behandelings op die CTmin van graanstinkluise, het implikasies vir na-oes behandelings, en begrip van die kwarantyngevaar wat dit inhou vir vrugte-invoerlande. Die inligting wat uit hierdie studie voortvloei, kan gebruik word om die ontwikkeling van beide effektiewe voor-oes en na-oes beheermaatreëls te bevorder en om die kwarantynrisiko wat graanstinkluise inhou, te verminder.

The first edition of this reference work became known as the bible of turfgrass entomology upon publication in 1987. It has proved invaluable to professional entomologists, commercial turf managers, and golf course superintendents and has been used widely in college extension courses. This classic of the field is now in its third edition, providing up-to-date and complete coverage of turfgrass pests in the continental United States, Hawaii, and southern Canada. This revised volume integrates all relevant research from the previous two decades. It provides expanded coverage of several pest species, including the annual bluegrass weevil, invasive crane fly species, chinch bugs, billbugs, mole crickets, and white grubs. The book also provides detailed information on the biology and ecology of all major pests and includes the most current information on conditions that favor insect development and biological control strategies pertinent to each species. The reader should be able to identify most turf insects through the use of this text. It is a critical reference work that any serious turf professional should own.