Sod Webworm Control in Kentucky Bluegrass, 1977

Insecticides were evaluated for the control of webworms on moderately infested two year old bluegrass sod field. Precounts in checks averaged 2.5 larvae/sq ft. At time of treatment, Aug 2’77, 80% of the larvae were in the last instar. Plots were 10 x 10 ft laid out in randomized complete block design with four replicates. The granular treatments of Bendiocarb 5G was applied by hand shaker can and the remaining granules were applied by a drop type lawn spreader. Sprays were applied at a rate of 30 gpa with a boom mounted on a wheeled ‘sulky’ type of frame. Pressure of 40 psi was maintained with a CO2 tank. Post treatment counts (3 sq ft samples/plot) were made on Aug 4’77 by cutting the grass sample area down to the thatch layer and soaking each area with a weak solution of pyrethrins in water. The number of larvae forced to the surface after eight minutes was recorded.