7 Common Weeds in Buffalo Grass
Weeds in Buffalo lawns can quickly turn your dream lawn into a nightmare. For Australian homeowners, tackling these invasive plants is essential for preserving the beauty and ...
Read More
What is Redheaded Cockchafer?
Redheaded cockchafer (Adoryphorus couloni) is a species of beetle endemic to Australia. It is a notorious pest in turfgrass management, with larvae feeding on grassroots and causing significant damage to lawns, particularly in the larval stage.
How to Identify Redheaded Cockchafer
“Redheaded cockchafer larvae are creamy-white in colour with a distinct reddish-brown head capsule.”
“Adult beetles are reddish-brown in colour and approximately 15-20mm in length, with prominent antennae.” Signs of infestation include wilting or browning patches of grass, thinning turf, and the presence of adult beetles around the lawn.
3 Tips for Controlling Redheaded Cockchafer
1. Lawn Maintenance Practices
“Promoting a healthy lawn through proper lawn maintenance practices such as regular mowing, adequate watering, and balanced fertilisation helps strengthen turfgrass, making it more resilient to redheaded cockchafer damage,” Nathan says.
2. Chemical Controls
“In severe infestations, targeted application of insecticides containing active ingredients such as imidacloprid or bifenthrin can effectively manage redheaded cockchafer larvae,” Nathan says. However, it’s crucial to follow product labels and application guidelines to minimise environmental impact and ensure safety.
3. Mechanical Removal
“Hand-picking adult beetles or using light traps can help reduce adult populations and prevent egg-laying,” Tovey advises. Vigilance in monitoring adult beetle activity and promptly addressing infestations can prevent larval damage.
How to Prevent Redheaded Cockchafer in Your Lawn
“To prevent redheaded cockchafer infestations, maintaining a dense, healthy turf stand is paramount.”
“Implementing proper lawn care practices, including soil aeration, dethatching, and over-seeding with resilient turfgrass varieties, creates an inhospitable environment for redheaded cockchafer development.”
Insecticides: myhomeTURF Recommendations
“Insecticides should be applied during the peak activity of redheaded cockchafer larvae, typically in late spring to early summer.”
“The effectiveness of insecticides varies depending on factors such as application method, product formulation, and environmental conditions. In general, it may take several weeks for insecticides to achieve noticeable reduction in larval populations.”
