Insecticidal Control of Chinch Bugs on Buffalograss, 1996

Insecticides were evaluated for control of chinch bugs on a buffalograss field near Murdock, NE. The turf (100% buffalograss) was normally not mowed, but was cut to a height of 2 inches prior to insecticide applications. Thatch/debris accumulation in the plot area was 0.25 inch. Field conditions at the study site were: soil type, silty clay loam; soil organic matter, 3-5%; soil pH, 6-7; water pH, 7.0. Environmental conditions at the time of treatment were as follows: soil moisture 18% by wt; air temperature 81 °F: soil temperature 92°F; relative humidity 60%; wind direction and velocity 120° at 5 mph. Plots were 6 X 6 ft and the experimental design was a RCB with 4 replications. Insecticide treatments were applied on 30 Aug 1996. Granular treatments were applied by using a pre-calibrated 24H12 Gandy spreader. Liquid insecticides were applied using a CO2 sprayer with a TeeJet® 8002 nozzle at 30 psi and delivering 2 gal finished spray/1000 ft2. Following applications, plots were irrigated with 0.125 inch of water. A total of 3.38 inches of rain fell during the post-treatment period. Treatments were evaluated 7, 14 and 21 DAT (9, 13, and 20 Oct) by removing from each plot three, 4.25 inch diam turf-soil cores (0.3 ft2 total area) to a depth of 1 inch. Cores were placed in Berlese funnels and extracted chinch bugs were counted after 48 hr.