Hunting Hyperodes

Hyperodes Weevils have become a huge problem on golf courses all over the North Eastern United States. Extremely damaging, their presence can't be masked easily through basic cultural practices. Different methods have been used to attempt to remove the insects but few of them show promise. The increased resistance of hyperodes populations to pyrethroids on specific courses is the most concerning. In the past, spray programs with the most consistent control have heavily relied upon the use of such pyrethroids. The consistent use of these chemicals have helped lead to the immunities we are seeing today. For superintendents unfortunate enough to manage such a course tactics have changed. The use of different chemicals and application timing has become a way of life. Unfortunately most superintendents have to learn through trial and error to find the perfect weevil decimating concoction. Surprisingly there does exist a basic practice that can prove infinitely valuable to see chemical applications affects on the hyperodes populations on your course. During a study done at the Ridgewood Country Club with Dr. Patt Vittum a professor at Umass I learned to count hyperodee adults. Although it may sound a ridiculously tedious task, counting the hypes before an application and those remaining alive after an application can provide the information needed to know whether or not a chemical worked. You are most likely asking yourself how on earth I can expect you to tear apart and peal through the thatch layer that hyperodes call home. Luckily such drastic steps are not called for. In fact if you use the techniques soon to be mentioned they will rise up to the surface in moments and parade around on the tips of the leaf blades. How can such a thing be accomplished? It just so happens lemon concentrate mixed with water is extremely irritating to hyperodes. If you soak a desired area, (typically 2x2ft) with a watering can filled with a ratio of one gal. water/two ounces of Lemon Joy soap within 60 seconds the critters will begin to rise to the surface. They do so in order to sit on the leaf blades and allow the sun to dry off the irritable concoction. This is when you make your count. It is easy to log a hypee twice so killing and removing the insects from the 2x2 area is advisable. I did this practically every other day during our summer long testing. It requires minimal amounts of time to accomplish and delivers accurate data as long as your employee keeps a wary eye. Obviously the location of the test should be in an area historically prone to sever hyperodee damage. These areas are always found in locations with high concentrations of poa annua, find the poa and you find the hypees. Hyperodee Numbers exceeding 20/2x2ft are dangerous, but I have logged numbers as high as 130/2x2ft! If your hyperodee numbers cross the twenty count it is imperative you make an application, otherwise you stand a good chance of losing that turf.

When making the actual application of "lemon water" use the ratio stated above, mix thoroughly to evenly dilute the soap. Apply the mixture till there is an appropriate amount to fully saturate the thatch layer. This area is the main residence of hyperodee adults. Be aware on extremely hot sunny days there is the possibility to singe turf due to the soap that lingers on the turf blades. On such days don't be as liberal with the liquid used to saturate the area. Within a minute or less of drenching time hyperodee will begin to search for comfort. They can continue to emerge for as long as 10 minutes depending on your populations. Log the numbers from the different locations clearly marking what the area had been previously treated with. When it comes time to compare results you will have a complete history to review.

If you follow these simple steps you will find this process is not only helpful but addicting!