Chinch Bugs
The recent prevalence of chinch bugs in the Chicagoland area prompts me to share more information about this insect and its effects.
The drought has created conditions conducive to the appearance of chinch bug damage in turf. Chinch bugs are typically not much of a turf problem in Illinois, being more of a pest problem in the Great Plains region.
One reason chinch bug doesn't typically thrive in our region is that it is attacked by a naturally occurring fungal pathogen, Beauvaria bassiana. This causes all stages (eggs, nymphs, and adults) to be killed and covered with fine white fungal strands. Most fungi do better under cool, moist conditions. In Illinois, we typically get enough rainfall throughout the season that the fungus controls the chinch bugs for us. With the recent drought conditions and higher than normal temperatures, this naturally occurring deterrent isn't working.
Another reason chinch bugs attack turf grasses is the abundance of nitrogen from fertilizer applications. Chinch bugs,like many insects, reproduce more on plants containing high levels of nitrogen.
Being cold-blooded animals, chinch bugs also grow faster and reproduce more at higher temperatures, particularly those in the 80 degree Fahrenheit range. Think about how many days we have had over 80 degrees lately!
How to identify it? Chinch bug damage is usually first detected when irregular patches of turf begin to turn yellow then straw colored. The straw colored areas may be completely dead. These patches continue to become larger in spite of watering.
Feeding by chinch bugs blocks the water and food conducting vessels of grass stems. By blocking the water, the leaves wither as in drought and the manufactured food doesn't get to the roots. The result is plant death.
Our concern right now is that many municipalities have instituted watering bans, resulting in dormant areas of turf in lawns that are not getting enough water. As summer progresses there may be areas of lawn that are infested with chinch bugs that might be perceived as just dormant grass.
Our crew leaders and superintendents will be on the look out for areas of concern and performing tests to locate potential infestations, but be on the look out yourself. Are straw like areas "growing?" Are they staying brown even after diligent watering? If either of these questions are yes, contact your landscape professional immediately.
Last year I lost 70,000 sf of turf in a month due to the severity of a chinch bug infestation that went unnoticed. I'm very sensitive to making certain that does not happen again.
The drought has created conditions conducive to the appearance of chinch bug damage in turf. Chinch bugs are typically not much of a turf problem in Illinois, being more of a pest problem in the Great Plains region.
One reason chinch bug doesn't typically thrive in our region is that it is attacked by a naturally occurring fungal pathogen, Beauvaria bassiana. This causes all stages (eggs, nymphs, and adults) to be killed and covered with fine white fungal strands. Most fungi do better under cool, moist conditions. In Illinois, we typically get enough rainfall throughout the season that the fungus controls the chinch bugs for us. With the recent drought conditions and higher than normal temperatures, this naturally occurring deterrent isn't working.
Another reason chinch bugs attack turf grasses is the abundance of nitrogen from fertilizer applications. Chinch bugs,like many insects, reproduce more on plants containing high levels of nitrogen.
Being cold-blooded animals, chinch bugs also grow faster and reproduce more at higher temperatures, particularly those in the 80 degree Fahrenheit range. Think about how many days we have had over 80 degrees lately!
How to identify it? Chinch bug damage is usually first detected when irregular patches of turf begin to turn yellow then straw colored. The straw colored areas may be completely dead. These patches continue to become larger in spite of watering.
Feeding by chinch bugs blocks the water and food conducting vessels of grass stems. By blocking the water, the leaves wither as in drought and the manufactured food doesn't get to the roots. The result is plant death.
Our concern right now is that many municipalities have instituted watering bans, resulting in dormant areas of turf in lawns that are not getting enough water. As summer progresses there may be areas of lawn that are infested with chinch bugs that might be perceived as just dormant grass.
Our crew leaders and superintendents will be on the look out for areas of concern and performing tests to locate potential infestations, but be on the look out yourself. Are straw like areas "growing?" Are they staying brown even after diligent watering? If either of these questions are yes, contact your landscape professional immediately.
Last year I lost 70,000 sf of turf in a month due to the severity of a chinch bug infestation that went unnoticed. I'm very sensitive to making certain that does not happen again.
Labels: gardening, gardening tips, ILT Vignocchi, insects, landscape, landscape advice, landscape tips, lawn diseases, turf diseases
posted by Donna Vignocchi at
11:20 AM
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