Issue 16, September 14, 2009

Scouting Watch

White grub infestations continue to be few and far between. Any damaging infestations are likely to be spotty in occurrence. When high grub numbers are found, scout to determine the extent of the infestation. It is likely that only one portion of the lawn will have high numbers of grubs. Only that area will need to be treated. Any of the grub insecticides will still be effective, but trichlorfon, sold as Dylox, will be the quickest acting as it kills the grubs within three days.

Magnolia scale crawlers should be hatching in central and southern Illinois. Also check for their presence in northern Illinois. These first-stage nymphs, or crawlers, are oval and gray, with a reddish brown ridge running down the back. Each crawler has two white, waxy spots, one on each side. Crawlers mass on the undersides of 1- and 2-year-old twigs for the winter. From the time that they emerge from the female until they molt to the second nymphal instar in late April or early May, they are vulnerable to insecticide sprays. An insecticidal spray of acephate (Orthene), insecticidal soap, or summer spray oil controls the crawlers.--Phil Nixon

Author:
Phil Nixon

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