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Publication #IPM147

 

How to Use Nematac® S against Pest Mole Crickets in Pastures1

N. C. Leppla, J. H. Frank and J. A. Graesch2

Nematac® S is a proprietary formulation of the insect-parasitic nematode Steinernema scapterisci Nguyen and Smart. These nematodes are released in their infective juvenile stage to search out and enter pest mole crickets through natural body openings. Once inside, the nematodes release symbiotic bacteria that quickly kill adults and large immature nymphs. Reproduction inside mole crickets releases new generations of infective juveniles that disperse in search of further prey. Nematodes can also be spread by infected mole crickets that disperse throughout an area.

Nematac® S is patented by the University of Florida for use against mole crickets and licensed exclusively to Becker Underwood for production and distribution as a biopesticide. It only infects adult and large immature mole crickets (1 – 1½ inches long). It is applied into moist soil in the early morning or late evening to avoid high temperatures and nematode desiccation. Soil temperatures should be 55-100°F (12-38°C). When applied in the soil, Nematac® S provides prolonged protection against pest re-infestation and is considered safe to use around children, pets, and plants.

Figure 1. 

Mole crickets can severely damage Florida pastures, especially bermudagrass or bahiagrass. (Credit: UF/N.C. Leppla)


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Figure 2. 

Tunnels at the soil surface are a sign of mole cricket infestation. (Credit: UF)


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Figure 3. 

Tawny mole cricket adult. (Credit: UF/P.M. Choate)


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Figure 4. 

Greatly magnified beneficial nematode similar to Nematac® S. (Credit: UF/K.B. Nguyen)


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A Nematac® S applicator is available free of charge and can be reserved by contacting your county Extension office (http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/). The equipment is kept on a trailer that can be pulled behind a full-size pickup truck. The applicator has a three-point hitch for use with your tractor. Your county Extension Livestock Agent will provide instruction in how to use the equipment safely and effectively.

Figure 5. 

Nematac® S application equipment pulled behind a tractor. (Credit: UF/M.W. Warren)


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What You Need to Do:

1. Check your pasture to determine whether it is infested with mole crickets. Signs include patches of dead grass and tunnels visible on the soil surface. In the early morning, find a 2 X 2 ft (4 ft2) area of grass where mole crickets are suspected to be present. Mix a solution made of 1 – 2 tablespoons of liquid dishwashing detergent in 1 gallon of water and pour over the area. Control is justified if four large mole crickets come to the surface within three minutes.

2. Purchase Nematac® S. Nematodes do not infect small mole crickets, so make sure nymphs are at least 1 – 1 1/2 inches long before placing an order. In Florida, adult mole crickets are most abundant in September through November and February through April. Nematac® S should be kept refrigerated at about 41°F and used within four weeks of receipt. Nematac® S is supplied only by Becker Underwood (http://www.beckerunderwood.com/). The minimum order is one case with two trays, each tray containing 250 million nematodes.This is enough nematodes to treat four acres in strips the width of the application equipment.Treat one strip and skip seven (see ENY663/IN413 for application details). For more information, contact Al Clarke, Southeastern Territory Manager (al.clarke@beckerunderwood.com, 407-474-8303).

3. Apply Nematac® S. Apply the nematodes at dawn or dusk, when the area to be treated is not in direct sunlight and is moist from rain or irrigation. Mix the nematodes with water, keep agitated, and apply immediately over the area to be treated. Detailed application instructions are available at the Becker Underwood website.

For More Information

UF/IFAS Mole Cricket publications http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_mole_crickets

Mole Cricket Control for Ranchers http://www.Floridalivestockagents.org

Footnotes

1.

This document is IPM-147 (IN853), one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Originally published: September 2006. Revised June 2010 and May 2011. Please visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

N. C. Leppla, professor/director, IPM Florida, and J. H. Frank, professor, Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; J. A. Graesch, nematode field development specialist, Becker Underwood, Ames, IA.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication do not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.