Best practices for crane flies in turf production
A new study recently published in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management (JIPM) explains the best management practices for consideration and adoption by turf (sod) producers in the northeastern U.S.
Two species of crane flies (Diptera: Tipuloidea) introduced from Europe, Tipula oleracea L. and T. paludosa Meigen, have become established across portions of northeastern United States and present an economic concern to the production turf industry. The presence of both species in northeastern U.S. turf production fields was confirmed in 2009, and on two separate occasions T. paludosa larvae were detected after delivery of turf from producer to consumer.
Infestation of production fields poses a threat to the quality of the developing turf product as well as a conduit for human-mediated range expansion of an invasive species. The infestation of production fields poses a threat to the quality of the developing sod product as well as a conduit for human-mediated range expansion of an invasive species.
Commercial turf production in the United States is a $1.35 billion dollar industry encompassing some 165,694 ha of open production. Turf farming continues to increase, producing a commodity used in commercial and residential developments, parks, athletic fields, and golf courses. Beyond esthetics, installed sod turfgrass fulfills ecological roles that include soil stabilization, erosion control, reduction and filtration of runoff, and cooling of the local atmosphere.
Pest management in turfgrasses grown for sod generally is less intensive than that of established turf. However the current range of foliar and soil dwelling insect pests known to affect sod production is broad and highlights the need for proactive means for their control. Insecticidal control is only performed when necessary as curative treatments add to the already high cost of sod production.
The implementation of best management practices (BMPs) in an integrated pest management (IPM) program helps reduce producer costs and is a primary way for growers to control pests through an approach that includes cultural practices, monitoring, biological controls, grass species selection, and informed pesticide applications.
In the article “Best Management Practices for Invasive Crane Flies in Northeastern United States Sod Production,” Matthew J. Petersen and colleagues from the Department of Entomology at Cornell University discuss the crane fly’s life history and ecology as a key element to recognizing and locating infestations in production fields. The study proposes and explains a core set of best management practices for consideration and adoption by turf/sod producers in northeastern U.S
The scientific rationale behind their recommendations for interventions is discussed with respect to basic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) elements (monitoring populations, damage thresholds, cultural management, chemical and biological control). The recommendations are further summarized in a checklist with respect to sod production cycle (preharvest, harvest, postharvest). The goal of these practices is the prevention of in-field infestations, the protection of developing turf, the assurance of crane fly-free shipments, and the safeguarding of commercial customers.
The full article appears in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management and can be downloaded free from http://esa.publisher.ingentaconnect.com/ (http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM11002).
Published in International Pest Control – March/April 2012 issue
Category: Horticulture-Amenity
