Seed Corn Beetles on
Greens
Tiny mounds of sand on putting surface
Seed Corn Beetles are the culprit!
We have had several golf patrons inquire about those pesky
little mounds that seem to appear from late morning to mid-afternoon on several
of our putting greens at Swope Memorial.
This annoyance to a true putt is caused by a new little nuisance called
the Seed Corn Beetle.
Despite their name, corn seeds are
not the primary food source for seed corn beetles. Rather, they feed on other
things they find in the soil including other insects. They are also highly
attracted to lights at night. There are two generations per year, typically occurring
in May/June and again in August (Purdue
University Entomology Dept.).
These critters do not feed upon
turf. They burrow into the greens which
causes the mounds of sand that appear and become noticeable throughout the
day. For the dew sweepers who play
early, their presence is barely noticed as the greenmowers have picked up the
sand as we cut the closely mown turf.
But the little bugs get busy after that!
We have thrown the proverbial
kitchen sink in the form of several different insecticides in an effort to
control the pests. As a new problem to
turf, entomologists are currently working toward a solution that we hope can
resolve this issue. Rest assured; we are
diligently working on a viable solution!
Josh Linn, GC Supt.
