TIGERS IN THE TURF: POTENTIAL IMPACT OF TIGER BEETLES IN MANAGED TURF Kris Braman University of Georgia

GENERALIST PREDATORS GEOCORIDAE Geocoris uliginosus (Say) Geocoris punctipes (Say) CARABIDAE Harpalus pennsylvanicus De Geer Calosoma sayi Dejean

GENERALIST PREDATORS CARABIDAE Megacephala carolina carolina L. Lycosa sp. Walckenaer FORMICIDAE Solenopsis invicta Buren

Objectives Document abundance as influenced by ground cover including turf type Document abundance as influenced by ground cover including turf type Determine potential impact on common turf pests Determine potential impact on common turf pests Fall armyworm Fall armyworm Twolined spittlebug Twolined spittlebug Japanese beetle Japanese beetle

Methods 6 grasses ( Sea Isle-1, , Cavalier, Palisades,TifSport, TifEagle) 6 grasses ( Sea Isle-1, , Cavalier, Palisades,TifSport, TifEagle) RCB design with 6 reps RCB design with 6 reps Plots 25 m 2 Plots 25 m 2

Materials and Methods Field samples Pitfall samples collected weekly for 16 weeks ; 6 May- 29 Aug Pitfall samples collected weekly for 16 weeks ; 6 May- 29 Aug Split plot design with grass genotype as whole plots Split plot design with grass genotype as whole plots Dates as the split plot for repeated measures analysis Dates as the split plot for repeated measures analysis Means separated using LSD Means separated using LSD Orthogonal contrasts to identify influence of turf genera on arthropod community structure Orthogonal contrasts to identify influence of turf genera on arthropod community structure

Turf genotype affects arthropod abundance (pitfall samples)

Orthogonal contrasts, pitfall samples

Tiger beetles Most numerous in paspalum and ‘TifEagle’ bermudagrass Arthropod predator occurrence and performance…. Braman et al Environ. Entomol. 32:

Influence of commercially available wildflower mixes on beneficial arthropod abundance and predation in turfgrass Braman et al Environ. Entomol

Mean number of tiger beetles in flower mixes, wheat straw mulch or in grasses with flower or mulch borders Contrast Year 1 Year 2 Smith Mix Border Patrol Mulch Bermuda- SM Bermuda-BP Bermuda-Mulch Zoysia-SM Zoysia-BP Zoysia-Mulch P=

Experimental arena

Functional response of M. carolina carolina on P. bicincta and S. frugiperda in single-prey system Mean number of prey killed/24h

ab c a b Comparison of the total prey consumed by M. carolina carolina during 24 h. Nachappa et al. J. Econ Entomol. In review

White grubs

Number eaten a b a a

Consumption of Japanese beetle eggs in soil (1-day) Number eaten Proportion eaten a b a b a b a b

Consumption of Japanese beetle eggs/larvae in soil (1-week) Number eaten Proportion eaten a b a b a b a b

Consumption of Japanese beetle eggs/larvae in soil (3-week) Number eaten Proportion eaten a b a b a b a a

Conclusions The tiger beetle M. carolina occurs in turf and landscape beds in synchrony with common pests The tiger beetle M. carolina occurs in turf and landscape beds in synchrony with common pests M. carolina’s abundance was influenced by turfgrass type and surrounding “habitat” M. carolina’s abundance was influenced by turfgrass type and surrounding “habitat” The common turfgrass pests S. frugiperda, P. bicincta, and P. japonica were suitable prey for M. carolina in laboratory studies The common turfgrass pests S. frugiperda, P. bicincta, and P. japonica were suitable prey for M. carolina in laboratory studies

Conclusions In laboratory evaluations, M. carolina exhibited a Type II functional response to P. bicincta and S. frugiperda In laboratory evaluations, M. carolina exhibited a Type II functional response to P. bicincta and S. frugiperda Greater numbers of S. frugiperda than P. bicincta were captured by adult M. carolina when only one type of prey was present Greater numbers of S. frugiperda than P. bicincta were captured by adult M. carolina when only one type of prey was present In a “two-prey” system this difference was even more apparent; S. frugiperda was more frequently killed In a “two-prey” system this difference was even more apparent; S. frugiperda was more frequently killed

Conclusions In petri dish trials, M. carolina and H. pennsylvanicus consumed similar numbers of P. japonica eggs In petri dish trials, M. carolina and H. pennsylvanicus consumed similar numbers of P. japonica eggs M. carolina consumed more first instar P. japonica larvae than H. pennsylvanicus in petri dish assays however…. M. carolina consumed more first instar P. japonica larvae than H. pennsylvanicus in petri dish assays however….

Conclusions When M. carolina and H. pennsylvanicus adults were confined with different densities of P. japonica (initially as eggs) for three weeks in soil, When M. carolina and H. pennsylvanicus adults were confined with different densities of P. japonica (initially as eggs) for three weeks in soil, H. pennsylvanicus consumed a greater proportion of prey at all densities on day 2 and 1 week. H. pennsylvanicus consumed a greater proportion of prey at all densities on day 2 and 1 week. Numbers consumed by week 3 were similar at the highest density, but still lower for M. carolina at lower densities Numbers consumed by week 3 were similar at the highest density, but still lower for M. carolina at lower densities

Implications and Research Needs M. carolina is a prominent predator in turf that.. M. carolina is a prominent predator in turf that.. Demonstrated potential to suppress three common turfgrass pests in laboratory trials Demonstrated potential to suppress three common turfgrass pests in laboratory trials Laboratory evaluations in simplistic systems are insufficient to define comparative predatory potential Laboratory evaluations in simplistic systems are insufficient to define comparative predatory potential Field assessment of predator impact is required Field assessment of predator impact is required