Southern Sting Nematode

(Ibipora lolii)

The Southern Sting Nematode (Ibipora lolii) is one of the most aggressive and damaging Nematodes in turfgrass, particularly in sandy soils. It affects high-value turf like golf courses, sports fields, and turf farms, leading to severe turf decline.

Biology & Life Cycle:

→ Large, slender nematode with a spear-like stylet for feeding.
→ Prefers sandy soils (>80% sand), which are common in many turf situations.

Life Cycle:
→ Egg → Four Juvenile Stages (J1–J4) → Adult.

→ Requires both males and females for reproduction.

→ Most active during warmer months (spring to autumn) when soil temperatures are optimal.

Feeding & Damage:

→ Ectoparasitic feeder, meaning it stays outside the root and inserts its stylet to extract nutrients.

→ Causes “sting” symptoms – stunted roots, root tip swelling, and necrosis.

→ Turf becomes thinned, chlorotic, and weakens due to poor root function.

→ Damage is worse in sandy soils with low organic matter, common in coastal golf courses, sports fields, and amenity turf in Australia.

→ Population levels peak in warm seasons and decline in winter.

Click here to download a copy of the Southern Sting Nematode Technical Notes.

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Controlling Southern Sting Nematodes With Indemnify

Indemnify® is a proven, easy-to-use nematicide that controls key plant parasitic nematodes and improves root growth and turfgrass health resulting in better playability with improved wear tolerance.

Indemnify^® contains the active ingredient Fluopyram:

Fluopyram is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) that paralyses and eventually kills Nematodes by blocking cellular respiration. Fluopyram is a contact nematicide with acropetal (upwards) movement. The effect on Nematodes is initial paralysis and this effect begins once the nematicide makes contact. In general, visual improvement to damaged turf occurs four weeks after application. Effects of improved turfgrass quality can last between two to six months. The exact duration is dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, Nematode species and turfgrass type.

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Application Strategy

*Disclaimer: As of Oct 4th 2022, the Environmental Science division of Bayer was divested and transferred to Envu. Note that this content was produced prior to separation.

→ Indemnify^® should be applied as a preventative treatment when conditions are favourable for root growth, before Nematode populations build up to damaging levels.

→ The population buildup of some key species such as Sting Nematode often occurs during or following a period of root growth, so optimum timing of application, while situation-dependent, will often be just prior to periods of peak root growth.

→ This timing is typically early spring and autumn.

→ Apply up to four applications at the higher curative spot treatment rate if controlling outbreaks that are severe or are expected to become severe.

Treatment Tips For Best Results

• Apply in 400 – 800 L water/ha.

• Apply 0.625L/ha as a preventative treatment.

• Apply 1.25L/ha as a curative spot treatment.

• Apply no more than 4 applications a year – refer to label for application rates.

→ Tank mixing: Do not tank mix this product with soil wetting agents or surfactants. The Indemnify^® formulation contains soil penetration adjuvants to optimise delivery of the active ingredient to the root zone.

Indemnify Trial Results

Indemnify^® trial showing reduction in Sting Nematodes for various treatment programmes.

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 Indemnify^® can support the control of Southern Sting Nematodes on your land or call our customer service line on:

03 7019 3839.

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Southern Sting Nematode

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