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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Turfgrass
Frit Fly
Scientific Name: Oscinella frit
(Reviewed 6/03,
updated 6/03)
In this Guideline:
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DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST
Adult frit flies are slightly more than 0.062 inch long, shining black
with small yellow markings on the legs. The eggs are pure white, 0.03
inch long, with a finely ridged surface. Mature larvae are 0.125-inch
long, yellow, with black, curved mouth hooks. Pupae are yellow at first,
then turn dark brown and are slightly less than 0.125 inch long.
The winter is passed in the larval stage in the stems of grasses. Pupation
takes place in spring, and the first adults emerge about March. Eggs are laid
on the leaves and leaf sheaths of grasses. Several larvae may occur in one
plant. There are at least three broods, the activity of the last extending into
October in warmer areas.
SUSCEPTIBLE SPECIES
All species of turfgrass are susceptible, but bentgrasses and bluegrasses seem
to be the most susceptible to injury.
DAMAGE
Larvae tunnel in the stems near the
surface of the soil, causing the upper portion of the plant to turn brown and
die. Damage is most common on golf greens. Injury appears first on the collars
of the greens and moves in toward the center. The high, or upper, sections are
usually the first to show the symptoms. Greens with high organic matter content
appear to be most susceptible.
MANAGEMENT
Look for small, black adult flies hovering close to the grass from mid to late
morning. Look for the larvae in the stems near the ground level. A hand lens or
dissecting microscope is useful in finding the very small larvae. Treatments
are rarely needed unless damage is occurring.
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Amount/1000 sq ft
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Many of these products are available for use by licensed applicators only and cannot be used by home gardeners.
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PERMETHRIN |
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(Astro, Permethrin Pro) |
0.4-0.8 fl oz |
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COMMENTS: Apply using sufficient water to
provide adequate coverage. |
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Turfgrass
UC ANR Publication 3365-T
Insects and Mites
H. S. Costa, Entomology, UC Riverside
R. S. Cowles, Entomology, Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Windsor, CT
M. A. Harivandi, UC Cooperative Extension, Alameda Co.
J. Hartin, UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino Co.
H. K. Kaya, Nematology, UC Davis
Acknowledgment for contributions to the insect and mite section:
K. Kido, Entomology, UC Riverside
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