Turf (3b) Turf Pest Management - Test
Your Knowledge Questions & Answers
1.Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting
pest management priorities.
ANS Turfgrass management professionals must consider human safety,
environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
2.Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary?
ANS Pest thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site
characteristics and uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for
pests of any sort on a gold green. On the other hand, there may be no
great need to control pests in the grassy areas of an industrial site.
However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field or
playground
- may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface is ideal for
play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn, means the
tolerance for pests is low.
However reliance on pesticide use may not be acceptable for some
recreational sites, especially if the primary users of that site are
children.
3.What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems?
Explain your answer.
1/
22
,ANS Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for initial design, instal-
lation, and maintenance programs. Begin by selecting high quality,
disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When possible, plant or install
resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site and use(s) is
essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best conditions for
plant health.
4.Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or
key locations?
ANS They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties,
and locations require special monitoring and care.
5.What is a "key pest"?
ANS A key pest is one that often reaches population densities that
justify management, and/or is capable of causing unacceptable damage
at relatively low densities, and/or attacks and damages turfgrass(es) in
conspicuous or valuable areas.
6.What is a "key variety"?
ANS A "key variety" has a special "high profile" use. A variety that
sustains damage from pests on a regular basis, or has a particular pest
that can kill or disfigure it in low densities, would also be considered a
"key variety."
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22
, 7.Describe a site that would be considered a key location.
ANS Key locations are heavily used or are significant in some way.
Areas where turfgrasses have chronic problems with pests, and/or
areas that are near something or someone requiring special protection
are "key locations."
8.Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest
problem.
ANS Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification
of the pest, familiarity with the life cycle of the pest, a good estimation
of the size and distribution of the pest population, and an assessment of
whether it is increasing or decreasing.
9.Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used in
turf- grass pest control.
ANS Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination
of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many types of techniques in a
single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep their damage to an
acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early detection,
sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological, and chemical
control methods.
10.What is biological control? Give one example.
ANS Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest's
biology to control it. One example is the uyse
3/
22
Your Knowledge Questions & Answers
1.Name some of the factors turfgrass managers must consider when setting
pest management priorities.
ANS Turfgrass management professionals must consider human safety,
environmental safety, turf use(s), efficacy, and economics.
2.Why do pest management thresholds in turf vary?
ANS Pest thresholds vary from site to site because they depend on site
characteristics and uses. For example, there may be zero tolerance for
pests of any sort on a gold green. On the other hand, there may be no
great need to control pests in the grassy areas of an industrial site.
However, setting thresholds in some sites - like a school athletic field or
playground
- may not be simple and clear-cut. A thick, uniform surface is ideal for
play areas, for optimum utility and safety. This, in turn, means the
tolerance for pests is low.
However reliance on pesticide use may not be acceptable for some
recreational sites, especially if the primary users of that site are
children.
3.What is the first, most basic step to take to manage pest problems?
Explain your answer.
1/
22
,ANS Use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for initial design, instal-
lation, and maintenance programs. Begin by selecting high quality,
disease- and insect-free turfgrass. When possible, plant or install
resistant varieties. Choosing the right variety for the site and use(s) is
essential. Next, good cultural practices provide the best conditions for
plant health.
4.Why should you focus your attention on key pests, key varieties, or
key locations?
ANS They are most likely to cause problems. Key pests, varieties,
and locations require special monitoring and care.
5.What is a "key pest"?
ANS A key pest is one that often reaches population densities that
justify management, and/or is capable of causing unacceptable damage
at relatively low densities, and/or attacks and damages turfgrass(es) in
conspicuous or valuable areas.
6.What is a "key variety"?
ANS A "key variety" has a special "high profile" use. A variety that
sustains damage from pests on a regular basis, or has a particular pest
that can kill or disfigure it in low densities, would also be considered a
"key variety."
2/
22
, 7.Describe a site that would be considered a key location.
ANS Key locations are heavily used or are significant in some way.
Areas where turfgrasses have chronic problems with pests, and/or
areas that are near something or someone requiring special protection
are "key locations."
8.Name several things you need to make an accurate diagnosis of a pest
problem.
ANS Description of the type and extent of plant damage, identification
of the pest, familiarity with the life cycle of the pest, a good estimation
of the size and distribution of the pest population, and an assessment of
whether it is increasing or decreasing.
9.Define the term "Integrated Pest Management." List IPM tactics used in
turf- grass pest control.
ANS Integrated Pest Management refers to the use of a combination
of pest control tactics. IPM programs use many types of techniques in a
single plan or strategy to reduce pests and keep their damage to an
acceptable level. IPM tactics include monitoring and early detection,
sanitation, and cultural, mechanical (physical), biological, and chemical
control methods.
10.What is biological control? Give one example.
ANS Biological control involves using some aspect of the pest's
biology to control it. One example is the uyse
3/
22
