Argentine Stem Weevil
Argentine Stem Weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) is a serious pest of bentgrass, wintergrass, and ryegrass.
Adults become active in the spring after overwintering and feed on leaves, although this feeding damage is generally cosmetic. After mating, eggs are laid on the leaf sheaths, and the larvae that hatch from these eggs begin feeding inside the grass stems and tillers. As the larvae grow too large to remain inside the stems, they exit and can be found in the thatch or soil surface.
Argentine Stem Weevil can have multiple generations from spring through to autumn. In cooler climates or years, this may result in two generations, while under warmer conditions, there may be three to four. These generations overlap, meaning all life stages can be present at the same time.
Click here to download a copy of the Argentine Stem Weevil Technical Notes.
Argentine Stem Weevil Control & Management
Biological Control:
→ Entomopathogenic nematodes are available as a biological control agent.
Cultural Practices:
→ Maintain healthy turf to withstand infestations.
→ Collect clippings and dispose away from susceptible grass areas. Collecting clippings also collects any adults on the turf surface.
→ Monitor for adults and larvae from spring and continue into summer. This will help determine the potential for damage to occur later in the season as well as help with calculating timing of insecticide application. Adulticides are important early in the season to reduce the size of the adult population and limit the amount of egg laying which occurs. Larvicides then become important throughout the remainder of the season.
Tetrino® Turf Insecticide controls Argentine Stem Weevil in turf including on golf courses, sports fields, racetracks, recreational lawns and turf farms. Tetrino® is not a scheduled poison and there is no reentry period.
Controlling Argentine Stem Weevil With Tetrino
Mode of Action
Tetrino® contains the active ingredient tetraniliprole.
Application strategy
Monitor adult activity through spring and early summer. Apply as a preventative treatment when adult numbers
peak, or as a curative treatment when first visual symptoms of damage occur.
For control of subsequent generations make applications as needed during the season.
Treatment Tips For Best Results
Trial Results
Tank Mixing
Stewardship
Always read the label before use. For full list of application and usage recommendations, view the label.
Speak To Our Team
Contact our team of experts to discuss how Tetrino® can support the control of Argentine Stem Weevils on your land or call our customer service line on:
03 7019 3839.
