Hairy Chinch Bug Biology and Parasitoids in Ohio Mrs. Jennifer Andon Department of Entomology The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 2004-2006

Objectives Survey and document the annual populations of hairy chinch bugs and their egg parasitoid in Ohio lawn-type turf. Determine if HCB populations obtained from lawns being maintained at different levels of management vary in susceptibility to Beauveria bassiana infection. Why? Recent observations of hairy chinch bug populations appears to conflict with earlier studies. We have found HCB in irrigated lawns which were thought to be at low risk for infestation.

Blissus leucopterus hirtus Montandon The Culprit Blissus leucopterus hirtus Montandon Family: Blissidae Formerly: Lygaeidae

Population Sampling Methods Standard golf course cup cutter U.S.A. standard sieve series Berlese funnel

EVALUATION OF BEAUVERIA SUSCEPTIBILITY Reared HCB colonies obtained from irrigated and non- irrigated lawns on sorghum in the greenhouse. Butyrate and Plexiglas cylinders Pro-mix Peat Moss 16 hrs day light 75° F day temp 70° F night temp

Biology of Hairy Chinch Bug in Ohio 2004 & 2005 Data Two generations per year Adults overwintered in lawns Oviposition began in early May 1st generation nymphs peaked in mid-June 1st generation adults began egg lay by mid-July 2nd generation adults observed in early September Reproductive diapause commenced in October, chinch bugs descend into thatch and debris

Hairy Chinch Bug Populations in Ohio Ex: Niemczyk & Shetlar 2000

Pathogens, Parasites, Predators Biological Pathogens, Parasites, Predators Conserve Parasitoids and Predators – Homeowner agreed not to use insecticides during study.

Eumicrosoma beneficum Scelionidae Eumicrosoma beneficum

Scelionid Egg Parasitoid Scelionid adult inside HCB egg Parasitized and normal egg

Bigeyed Bugs Geocoridae Other Natural Enemies Bigeyed Bugs Geocoridae Predators

Hairy Chinch Bug cadaver with Beauveria bassiana Hairy Chinch Bug cadaver with B. bassiana.

Beauveria bassiana Deuteromycetes “White Muscardine” Ubiquitous, soil-borne fungus Requires moist, warm conditions to sporulate Hyphae penetrate insect cuticle Toxin (beauvericin) relaeased to kill insect Mycelium proliferates inside insect Insect dies in 3-4 days

Except Beauveria bassiana Study High maintenance lawns, i.e., regular fertilization and irrigation, have been observed with HCB infestations Therefore, have populations of HCB become less susceptible to Beauveria infection? I will evaluate Botanigard ES, a commercial formulation of Beauveria bassiana and determine if varying susceptibility to B.b. has developed.

Beauveria, and other microbes from infected cadaver Isolated culture of Beauveria bassiana

Dilution Series

Botanigard™ ES Enumeration 10-1 10-2 10-3 10-4 10 -5 10-6 16 billion CFUs per ml of Botanigard ES

What’s Next… Challenge different HCB populations (recovered from different lawns) with fungal spores. Repeat another field season of monitoring chinch bug populations.

Acknowledgements – Thanks OSU/OARDC OTF Bayer, FMC, The Scotts Co. Mark Grunkemeyer, Buckeye Ecocare Scott Jones, One Call Gary Chatriand, Laverlam Int’l Columbus Area Master Gardeners Dr. Dave Shetlar, Dan Digman Dr. Mike Boehm, Amy Niver