11/19/2023 0 Comments Milky spore japanese beetlesAs a result, the higher the density of the grub population, the faster milky spore will become established. The density of the grub population is important in the establishment and buildup of the bacteria in the soil. Milky spore does not spread unless grubs are present in the soil. It is important to know the soil temperatures within the profile during the fall and early spring when grubs are active. In cooler climates, like the Northeast, milky spore may take longer to spread than in warmer climates. Ideal soil temperatures for spore development during grub attack are between 60° and 70 ☏ (19° and 21☌). Efficacy of the disease may vary depending on cold temperatures the spores are very cold-sensitive. Successful use of milky spore disease requires attention to environmental conditions, including temperature, moisture, soil structure, pH, and soil type. An earlier, more efficient, and consistent formulation method is now being used to produce milky spore disease. As a result, products were withdrawn from the marketplace. In the 1980s, it turned out that a different but related bacteria was actually being produced, which had little activity on Japanese beetle grubs. This is normally accomplished by injecting live grubs with bacterial spores. Nor will the bacteria develop on a dead insect, so infection needs to be induced through artificial means. Milky spore disease does not germinate well on an artificial medium or in test tubes. Milky spore disease was produced initially by collecting thousands of Japanese beetle larvae from the wild each spring and fall and bringing them to a laboratory for processing. Ingestion of the bacteria does not always produce infection as spores may pass through the gut and be discharged with fecal matter. Infested grubs eventually die, and bacterial spores disperse into the surrounding soil. The bacterial spores reproduce within the grub, eventually turning the hemolymph, the internal insect fluids, an opaque white. Japanese beetle grubs must ingest the bacteria because the primary mode of entry is through the mouth. However, all larval stages are susceptible to the bacteria. It is effective only in controlling Japanese beetle grubs it has virtually no activity on other grub species. The bacterium is applied to turfgrass as a dust. Milky spore disease is a bacterium that was initially referred to as Bacillus popillae, but it is now known as Paenibacillus popillae. It became available commercially for use on turfgrass in 1948. This bacterium was first detected in New Jersey in 1933. One of the first microbial insecticides ever registered in the United States was milky spore disease. However, there is growing interest in the use of alternative pest control materials such as beneficial nematodes and microbial-based insecticides. All these materials are highly effective in maintaining Japanese beetle grub numbers below damaging levels. It’s best to consult with a lawn care professional because without knowing insect or disease life cycles, product components, mode of action, and application method – you could be applying the wrong product, at the wrong time, for the wrong pest.The primary method of managing Japanese beetle grubs in turfgrass is with the use of insecticides such as trichlorfon (Dylox), halofenozide (Mach 2), and imidacloprid (Merit). To summarize, even under ideal conditions, using milky spore disease to control grubs, even Japanese beetle grubs, is a serious waste of money and time. Additionally, the bacteria can take over 4-5 years to build up…under ideal conditions…with a high population of Japanese beetles grubs! Wow! This consistently high soil temperature rarely occurs in our region. The third reason not to use milky spore in NH and VT is the fact that the soil temperature must be 60-70 for three months. Therefore, if you do not have a large Japanese beetle grub population, one where you would likely see damage – why bother? Secondly, you must have sufficient numbers of Japanese beetle grubs in your lawn to promote the bacterial population enough to expand and spread out in the soil. So now you understand that even if milky spore could work, you would only be controlling one grub out of many…not good odds. Unfortunately there are many more turf damaging grubs in NH and VT including Asiatic beetles, European and masked chafers, June and May beetles and armyworms. The first reason not to use milky spore is that it was manufactured to control ONLY Japanese beetle grubs. Milky spore comes in a powder and consists of a bacteria. Milky spore has been around for decades and was the first biological disease to control Japanese beetle grubs. According to a University of New Hampshire publication on milky spore disease, there are more reasons NOT to use this product than to use it in your home lawn.
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