Crane Fly larva Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jason Baker

   

   12 posts
   
   2/11/2013 2:02 PM

   Anyone ever deal with Crane Fly Larva or Leatherbacks? especially on warm season turf? I have never heard of them being a pest before but I have had two "outbreaks" tis winter. I have not seen any damage but I have read that sometimes they feed on roots. Most articles say they feed primarily on decomposing matter.

   
   
   
   
2. Robert Searle

   

   0 posts
   
   2/12/2013 7:02 AM

   Jason,
   
   Even though I'm up north I thought I'd share my experience. I had my first encounter with this pest this past season. I first noticed the adult in the spring and didn't think anything of it. In June I started noticing some damage. This area is always wet which apparently is where the adults like to lay their eggs. I'm not sure how many per sq.ft. we had but it was a lot. From my understanding the come up at night and feed on decaying matter, crowns, etc. This is especially true around aerification holes. So I made a curative application and decided to water it in only slightly thinking they would come up that night to feed and come in contact with the product. Well, I was right. Absolutely smoked them. Had to been thousands. Check out the pics.
   
   http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... anefly.jpg
   http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... y16-21.jpg
   http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... ly6-21.jpg
   http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk16 ... stApp2.jpg
   
   Bob Searle
   Superintendent
   Abenakee Club
   Maine

   
   
   
   
3. Jeff Arneson

   

   3 posts
   
   2/27/2013 3:02 PM

   Wow! And here I thought I was alone with this pest!! Amazing to me to see the numbers when we apply. Here in Northern Calif. I use Sevin. It also amazes me that these guys are countrywide!!! Good Luck guys.
   Jeff Arneson
   Redwood Empire GCC
   Fortuna, Ca

   
   
   
   
4. Robert Searle

   

   0 posts
   
   4/25/2013 6:04 AM

   Jason,
   
   Any update on your Crane Fly issues? I'd be interested to hear how you made out.
   
   Here is a recent regional update from UMASS on Crane Fly:
   
   http://extension.umass.edu/turf/managem ... ss-weevils