Weevil trak delivers a decision-tool for the regional management of annual bluegrass weevil in golf course turf

The annual bluegrass weevil, Listronotus maculicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a burgeoning pest of high maintenance golf course turf in the greater Northeast U.S.  Insecticidal control remains the backbone of management.  With the relatively recent arrival of larvicidal control alternatives, superintendents are challenged by targeting the different developmental stages in both space and time.  Syngenta’s Weevil Trak is a marketing and decision tool that coalesces information acquired from dozens of cooperators from across the range where this insect occurs as a pest.  Data and observations are collected on growing degree-days, plant phenological indicators, adult activity and larval development.  This information is used to make decisions on intervention timing against adults, early-stage and late-stage larvae of the most problematic first generation.  Email alerts are sent to users to advise on recommended timing of three different active ingredients.  The Weevil Trak website furthermore serves as an informational warehouse on insect natural history, monitoring approaches and sampling techniques.  As an example of industry-sponsored extension education, Weevil Trak ‘s approach, outcomes and challenges are summarized.