MSU Turf School
December 13th - 16th, 2010»» Details
Dr. David Smitley
Dave Smitley Professor
Entomology Department 517-355-3385
Department of Entomology at Michigan State University
North Carolina State University (1985)
Dr. Smitley works closely with the turfgrass, nursery and floriculture industries on identifying and solving insect pest problems. Applied research is followed with extension recommendations for growers. In 1991, Dr. Smitley worked with Dr. Bauer to introduce Entomophaga maimaiga, a fungal pathogen of gypsy moth, into Michigan. E. maimaiga is now widespread throughout the state, and is helping to suppress gypsy moth. Dr. Smitley is now studying the impact of E. maimaiga on gypsy moth populations. In turf, Dr. Smitley has been investigating the role of predators and the bacterial pathogen, Bacillus popillae, in regulating populations of Ataenius spretulus and Aphodius granarius on golf courses. In the last five years, he has also researched winter mortality of gypsy moth, interactions of water stress and honeylocust spider mite, and the host preference of gypsy moth among ornamental trees and shrubs.
Turfgrass Entomology Research 2008 - 2009
Long-term Suppression of Ants on Golf Courses. Research tests supported by industry and by MTF this past year have demonstrated 6 months of ant suppression following a single application of Aloft, Arena or Meridian at the highest labeled rate in May or early June. The number of ant mounds observed throughout the season in treated plots is reduced by 50% compared with untreated control plots. Other nicotinoid insecticides are also being tested at this time to see how they compare. Additional funding from MTF allowed us to follow-up on an idea proposed by Dr. Harry Niemczyck (retired from OSU) to treat much larger areas in order prevent re-colonization by ants in nearby untreated areas. In ¼-fairway plots (replicated 6 times) we were able to reduce ant mounding by 90% compared with only a 50% reduction in our standard-sized plots (10’ x 20’). This means that if golf course superintendents treat 30’ beyond the edges of tees, greens and fairways, it will dramatically improve ant control, especially along the edges of fairways, tees and greens. Apparently re-colonization from nearby untreated areas is much faster than we had realized. Dr. Niemczyck and I are also sharing test results to work on this problem together. His approach has been to provide 10 different golf courses in Michigan with one of 5 nicotinoid insecticide products for treating entire fairways. He has also seen outstanding test results at many sites, but at some locations the products to not appear to be working as well, for unknown reasons.
Biological Control of Japanese Beetle with Ovavesicula. With the support of MTF and from Project GREEEN, I have introduced a pathogen of Japanese beetle that was originally found in Massachusetts but not Michigan. In the last year we have continued to collect data that compares populations of Japanese beetle at sites where Ovavesicula is active with sites where it is absent. Japanese beetle grubs do not survive the winter as well where Ovavesicula is active and populations were reduced by 25 to 50% per year. We are continuing this work including proposals that extend this project nation-wide.
Turf Resistance to White Grubs. This year I re-started some of our previous research on turf resistance to grubs, by writing a new GREEEN proposal. In previous research it appeared that types of turfgrass with the largest root systems were the most resistant or tolerant of white grub feeding damage. In my new approach I want to expand the concept of resistant turf to include management practices that stimulate large root systems. I plan to improve the proposal from last year based on review comments and submit a new proposal to Project GREEEN in January.