Efficacy of Selected Insecticides in Reducing Rhodesgrass Mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Density on Golf Course Putting Greens

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rhodesgrass mealybug, Antonina graminis (Maskell) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), has long been a pest of warm-season grass species used for turf and hay. This species is benefiting from a recent resurgence as a pest of golf course putting greens. No efficacy information is currently available to aid in selecting insecticides for the management of rhodesgrass mealybug. This three-year study evaluated the efficacy of seven active ingredients (acephate, alpha-cypermethrin, cyantraniliprole, dinotefuran, flupyradifurone, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam) applied at several concentrations to golf course putting greens in Georgia and South Carolina, United States. The goal of this study was to identify the most effective insecticides for rhodesgrass mealybug management. Acephate, flupyradifurone, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam achieved greater and more consistent reduction in rhodesgrass mealybug abundance than other insecticides in multiple experiments. Based on our results, long-term suppression of mealybug populations could only be achieved through repeated applications of these insecticides targeting crawlers or an integrated pest management program that complement chemical control. There are needs to further improve management efficacy against rhodesgrass mealybugs by identifying additional effective insecticides of different modes of action to complement acephate, flupyradifurone, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, and methods by which the efficacy of these insecticides could be further improved.