Leatherjackets are the second most widespread pest problem on golf courses in the UK and Ireland (Mann, 2003) and throughout the majority of Europe. Unfortunately, little research has been carried out into leatherjackets infesting turfgrass
Leatherjackets M
ost research work on Leatherjackets has been
concerned with forage grass. A review of work carried out into leatherjacket problems in grassland was written by Blackshaw (1991) and has been used throughout this report. Leatherjackets are a major pest in grassland leys, lawns, golf courses, sports fields and arable crops (Anon, 1984). Reports of leatherjackets damaging grassland or turf in England, Ireland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway (Blackshaw, 1991) and cool season turf areas of USA and Canada (Potter, 1998) have been published.
Leatherjacket biology
Leatherjackets are the larvae of the crane fly (Tipula spp.), more commonly called the daddy-long-legs. There are numerous species, such as Tipula paludosa, T. oleracea, T. variipennis, T. vernalis and T. subnodicornis (Blackshaw, 1991). Only T. paludosa and T. oleracea are recognised as a pest throughout Europe and T. paludosa is cited as the pest species found in US and Canada. The lifecycle differs depending on the species. Tipula paludosa emerge
as adults in August and September (Blackshaw, 1991). Females do not move far from emergence and mating occurs quickly with eggs being laid within 32 hours of emergence. Larvae enter a resting phase in the summer before pupation which may be responsible for the synchronisation of adults emerging (Blackshaw, 1991). Tipula oleracea has two adult flight periods per year. One in
August/September and a second in May/June, although adults may also be present all summer (Blackshaw, 1991). Mating takes place after the eggs have fully developed and not immediately on emergence. The females are multivoltine so egg laying is spread over a longer period than other species. They also fly much further distances and so populations do not build up in affected areas.
Up to 400 eggs are laid with 6 or less eggs being laid at one spot (Dawson, 1932). Eggs are dark brown and are laid into the soil at the base of grass stems (Drury, 1993). Eggs hatch around 14 days later and larvae start to feed (Dawson, 1932). Leatherjackets feed on roots but can often be found on the surface on damp
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68