Irrigation and Use of Entomogenous Nematodes, Neoaplectana spp. and Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae), for Control of Japanese Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Grubs in Turfgrass

Abstract

Neoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser, N. glaseri Steiner, and Heterorhabditis heliothidis (Khan, Brooks, and Hirschman) require at least 0.64 cm irrigation after spray application to turf to promote establishment into the soil. Experiments were conducted in microplots (15.25-cm-diameter turf with soil plugs) and on dry golf course turf. Applications of N. carpocapsae and H. heliothidis (at 12.35 × 10 nematodes per ha), with irrigation following application and moderate soil moisture, produced 53% and 73% control of Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, larvae in golf course turf.