Integrated management of annual bluegrass weevil in short-cut turfgrass

Listronotus maculicolis, or the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), is a pest of short mown cool season turfgrass (primarily Poa annua and occasionally Agrostis stolonifera) on golf courses across the northeast United States and adjacent Canada regions with an expanding range. Because this pest has a lengthy period for adult migration from overwintering sites and egg laying, timing of treatments is critical to optimize the management strategies targeting different life stages. To this end, we have tested various chemical treatment recommendations against the overwintered generation of ABWs at different application timings. Additionally, we have evaluated the reproductive development of male and female ABWs at different times after the initiation of migration from overwintering sites in the spring. By correlating the reproductive development with growing degree days and monitoring data on ABW numbers, we aim to pinpoint peak egg-laying periods, enhancing the precision of management strategies. By integrating these findings into management protocols, turfgrass professionals can better optimize strategies for mitigating ABW damage on their courses