COTTONY GRASS SCALE, A NEW MINNESOTA TURFGRASS INSECT PEST?
Horticulture & Turfgrass
Bob Mugaas
FARMINGTON
Abstract
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION AND LOCAL LAWN CARE INDUSTRY COLLABORATE ON THE IDENTIFICATION, EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT OF COTTONY GRASS SCALE, A NEW MINNESOTA TURFGRASS INSECT PEST \r\n\r\nMugaas,* R.M.1, Hahn, J. D.2\r\n\r\n1 Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, Extension Regional Office-Farmington, Farmington, MN 55024\r\n2 Extension Entomologist, University of Minnesota Extension, Department of Entomology, St. Paul, MN 55108\r\n\r\n Cottony grass scale, (Eriopeltis festucae), is a little known, little reported turfgrass insect pest. The first documented Minnesota occurrence of cottony grass scale was in August of 2007 and was limited to one home lawn. The lawn care provider described the symptoms as being a distinct checkerboard pattern strongly associated with two perpendicular mowing directions. By the end of September of 2009, the number of reported occurrences totaled nearly 100 although reported occurrences dropped sharply in 2010. With so little information published or reported on this insect, determining its lifecycle in this area is still a work in progress. Hence, providing timely insecticide recommendations in concert with other IPM strategies has been difficult. From survey work conducted with the lawn care industry, cottony grass scale occurrence in Minnesota is primarily a pest of Kentucky bluegrass lawns, particularly those receiving better nitrogen fertility and regular irrigation. Industry accessibility to infested lawns made possible follow up site visits to collect insect samples and monitor symptom expression. This has been extremely helpful in furthering our knowledge of this pest. While there is much yet to be learned about this pest and its management, available information has been shared statewide with over 6000 people through Extension’s on-line Yard and Garden Newsletter, Clippings, a local industry newsletter and incorporated into presentations for amateur and professional audiences. Without this industry collaboration, we would be significantly further behind in our understanding of this pest’s biology, regional distribution and potential IPM strategies.
Authors: Mugaas, B.
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Mugaas, B. Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension, Minnesota, 55024