TechNotes July 1 - Japanese Beetles, Watering Tips, Soil Temps

TechNotes are provided weekly by Syngenta Professional Products.

JAPANESE ADULT BEETLES. Japanese adult beetles will be emerging shortly and feeding on susceptible plant material. Extremely sensitive plant material includes American mountain ash, evening primrose, Japanese maple, hollyhock, crabapple and American linden. The feeding of Japanese beetles generally does not overly stress the plants (unless severe defoliation occurs). However, defoliation caused by this insect reduces the aesthetic appearance of the plant material and the landscape. Skeletonizing of the leaves is the most common symptom. Regarding home lawns, adult Japanese beetles do not cause damage. The damaging stage occurs when the adults lay eggs, which hatch into grubs that feed on the turfgrass roots.


WATERING SUGGESTIONS. In many parts of the United States, moisture stress is present on many home lawns. In areas where supplemental irrigation is needed and water conservation is critical, here are a few suggestions:

  • Water during times when evapotranspiration is the lowest. Watering during the middle of the day will result in significant evaporation of water not only from the turf, but from sprinkler water spray prior to the water hitting the turf. Night watering has been reported to increase the severity of disease, however, compared to water loss the potential increase in disease severity is minimal.
  • Water deeply and infrequently. Warm season grasses have a deep root system allowing them to absorb deeper. Deep, infrequent watering also allows for a greater hardening off of the turfgrass plant. In some instances where hand watering is being implemented this may be difficult.

  • Bluish-colored turf is a sign of wilting. Water when the turf needs moisture the most, which is at the first sign of wilt.

  • SOIL TEMPERATURES.

    Fla
    Visit www.greencastonline.com for soil temperature maps and other information on pest pressures and weather specific to your area of the country. These temperatures are valid for July 1, 2005. Map: www.greencastonline.com.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Find more TechNotes on www.greencastonline.com.