Commercial Turfgrass IPM: Novel Insecticides for Managing White Grubs and Cutworms
PI(s): Youngman, Roger R, Goatley, Michael
Investigators: Laub, Curt
Abstract: The annual white grub complex and black cutworm are two of the most important pest groups affecting turf in Virginia. Insecticide management costs for these pests alone are estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Recent industry research has produced two new insecticides, chloroantraniliprole for white grubs, and indoxacarb for cutworms. My current research on Virginia sod farms and golf courses is evaluating timing and rate options for these materials. It is expected that our findings will improve resistant management options for white grubs and cutworms as well as other important pests of commercial turfgrass in the near future.
Description: Merit (imidacloprid) has been the standard grubicide of choice for many years in Virginia; however, recent field reports suggest that the efficacy of this grubicide may be declining. Consequently, we are evaluating an experimental material (chloroantraniliprole) developed by DuPont that promises to be a very safe and highly effective preventive grubicide. Chloroantraniliprole belongs to the anthranilic diamides insecticide class. Anthranilic diamides are an entirely new class of insecticides with a truly novel mode of action (Cordova et al. 2006, Lahm et al. 2005). Anthranilic diamides are not nerve poisons. Rather, the mode of action is the activation of ryanodine receptors in muscle cells that have selectivity for insect receptors. Specifically, the active ingredient causes calcium ions to leak out of insect muscle cells, which ultimately results in insect death. Because of this selectivity, anthranilic diamides are extremely safe to mammals (E2Y45 has a mammalian toxicity LD50 of 5,000 mg/kg). Provaunt (indoxacarb) was recently registered for control of larval stage of black cutworm and other lepidopterous pests in turf. Industry reports indicate it is highly effective against black cutworm larvae. Unlike chloroantraniliprole, however, indoxacarb (oxadiazine class), is a nerve poison. However, because it is as safe to mammals as chloroantraniliprole, it falls under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) statute of expediting approval of safer pesticides. Given this high level of safety, Provaunt is designated by the EPA to be a “reduced-risk” pesticide and a replacement for organophosphate class nerve poisons such as Dylox, Dursban, and Orthene (USEPA 2000).
Commodities: Turf
Resources: Computer Workstations, Department Shop, Entomology Laboratory - Southern Piedmont AREC, Insect Identification Laboratory, Insecticide Storage Building, Price Hall, State-Owned Vehicles, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs
Disciplines: Integrated Pest Management, Pesticides
Audiences: Commodity Groups, Extension Agents, Prospective Students, Researchers
