ZOYSIA PATCH. Zoysia patch, also known as Rhizoctonia large patch occurs in early spring. Zoysia patch develops under conditions of high humidity and nighttime temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s. The rings or patches caused by the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani may vary from a few inches in diameter to several feet. The leaf blades normally appear as a tan to orange color. Zoysia patch is much more severe on turf cut at a low height of cut. To help discourage the development of this disease in late fall raise the mowing height slightly. If fungicide applications are warranted, spring applications are much more effective than summer or autumn applications.
MAY/JUNE BEETLE. Currently, the May/June beetle is flying around neighborhoods in the transitional zone of the United States. The adults are ½ to 1 inch in length and are a reddish-brown to black color. At this time these adults often crash into the sides of houses and into windows. Since the May/June beetle is nocturnal they are active during nighttime hours. The adults will not cause damage to ornamentals unless large numbers of the adults are present. Larvae of these beetles are white grubs, with feeding habits similar to masked chafer and Japanese beetle grubs. However the May/June beetle grub prefers pasture grasses and thus is not a serious problem in homelawns, except new lawns established near pastures. The larvae may take between 1 to 5 years to complete their life cycle.
SOIL TEMPERATURES.
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