July 27, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 8

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Agriculture 4- The Elk City News July 27, 2022 4-H Roundup: Steadfast in tradition while Sod Webworms in Home Lawns offering new opportunities Now is the time to be on lawn. For small areas (typi- the lookout for several dif- cally 1 sq. yd. of grass), add ferent lawn pests, including 2 ounces of liquid dish de- the sod webworm. With sev- tergent to 1 gallon of water, eral different species of cat- then mix. Soaps such as Lem- erpillars that come out as it on Joy, Ultra Dawn and Ivory warms up, it may be easy to Clear are excellent options as confuse the sod webworm they cause the least damage with the fall armyworm. They to turfgrass. Go to the area in are both pests commonly your yard where you suspect found throughout the Unit- a problem and pour the mix- ed States that damage turf ture within a 12-inch circle. extensively. However, they're You might consider tak- different types of worms that ing a piece of rope to make can evolve into very different a 12-inch circle so you can looking moths. Learn more observe the area easier. It about fall armyworms here. could take as much as five Read on to learn about minutes, but this mixture what a tropical sod webworm will force the insects within is, how to search for symp- the 12-inch circle to the sur- toms of an invasion and how face where they will be visible to treat an infestation. on the blades of grass. You What are sod webworms? can use this to flush other The tropical sod web- harmful insects to the top for worm, (Herpetogramma identification as well. OF ENDLESS POSSIBIMMI phaeopteralis Guenée) is a If you plan on monitoring lawn caterpillar that invades a large section of your lawn, and damages your lawn usu- prepare at least 1 gallon of ally between the months of a solution containing two May-July and will reappear parts water to one part liq- in the fall. In some of the uid dish detergent. Note that By Trisha Gedon just add to the great experi- “We work with pre-drivers in dreams while still living in southern-most areas, how- soap solutions with higher ence. The new additions to this Oklahoma Challenge and help Oklahoma,” said Cathleen Tay- ever, sod webworms can be rates than these can cause se- STILLWATER - State 4-H year’s lineup of events will be a them become assertive pas- lor, state leadership and civic active year-round with peak rious damage to turf. Apply- Roundup has long been Jot offun for everyone.” sengers. They're the co-pilot engagement specialist with the season occurring between ing the solution to a smaller steeped in tradition for the New on this year’s Roundup and are in charge of the music, state 4-H office. “She will also September-November. ‘They area of the lawn allows the delegates who make their way schedule will be a traffic safe- the GPS and other things that perform a short concert while mostly reside in the south- mixture to be more concen- eastern regions of the United trated in that spot. to Oklahoma State Univer- ty program for teens. The goal can cause a distraction for the at 4-H Roundup.” States as well as other trop- Turfgrass usually turns sity for the three-day event. of Oklahoma Challenge is to driver. Everyone attending Duds to Dazzle is a new ical areas including Hawaii, a brown or straw-yellow col- For more than a century, club increase teen traffic safety in 4-H Roundup can benefit from Puerto Rico, Guam, Jamaica or when damage occurs fol- members have been attending Oklahoma, said Nele Rogers, Oklahoma Challenge. Our goal contest this year that will give andAustralia. lowed by more sightings of Tropical sod webworms workshops, campaigning for Oklahoma Challenge associate is to empower youth to become 4-Hers an opportunity to tend to prefer newly estab- weeds as the canopy of the turfgrass weakens. demonstrate their knowledge state office and recognizing the director. Oklahoma Challenge more safe and responsible lished warm season turfgrass Sod Webworm Preven- achievements of their peers. is funded by the Oklahoma drivers. We're happy to be able and skills learned in the cloth- found in lawns, parks, com- tion and Treatment While tradition is important, State Highway Office. to offer this at 4-H Roundup.” ing and textiles project. mercial landscapes, sports Non-Chemical Control the 101st State 4-H Roundup “Car crashes are the numberFormer Bryan County 4-H’er “This contest gives partici- fields and golf ‘courses. (Cultural Practices) They're not to be confused In general, healthy turf- planning committee has a few one cause of death for people Bailey Rae will be on hand to pants an opportunity to up- with the fall armyworm or grass is less prone to pest new tricks up their sleeves for ages 16 to 24,” Rogers said. teach a Master Class workshop cycle a textile that no longer black cutworm. pressure and will recover 4-Hrers who will be on the OSU “There are several reasons for for participants in this year's meets its original purpose,” What does a sod web- much faster from pest dam- campus July 27-29. This year’s this, including novice drivers, 4-H Has Talent vocal contest. said Cathy Allen, 4-H curric- worm look like? age. Here are a few cultural In the adult form, the practices that may help con- theme is 4-H - A Universe of lower rates of seatbelt use, Finishing in the top nine in ulum coordinator at the state webworm is a small beige trol sod webworms: Endless Possibilities. more likely to speed and dis- season 19 of the television pro- 4-H office. “Someone could, for moth, sometimes called a Mowing Height: Main- “We're glad we're back to a tracted driving. About 45% of gram The Voice, Bailey Rae will example, take an old jean jack- lawn moth or crambus, that tain a proper mowing height 100% on-campus event this teen fatalities in traffic acci- share tips about performing et and upcycle it into a vest. has a wingspan of 3/4 of an for the variety of turfgrass year. While we adapted and dents aren't wearing seatbelts.” and how to put your best foot inch, It’s the moth that be- you have in your yard. St. It’s a great way for club mem- ins the lawn damage pro- ‘Augustine lawns should be had a virtual event in 2020 and Part of this educational op- forward on stage. bers to use their creativity and eee. ‘The adult female mothe mowed at 2-4 inches while a hybrid event in 2021, there's portunity will be Think Fast In- Bailey Rae, who was a 2017 make something unused into fy at dusk, dropping eggs on zoysia should be mowed at nothing better than being back teractive, a national, high-en- state 4-H record book winner useable and stylish products.” the grass blade surfaces and .5-2 inches. Never cut more to State 4-H Roundup in per- ergy game show-type activity. in the health and fitness proj- thatch area of your lawn. than 1/3 of the blade height son on the OSU campus,” said Rogers said there will bea host, ect and a 2018 Key Club in- OSU Extension uses re- The eggs are yellow in during one mowing. the contestants will have click- search-based information to appearance and turn brown Reduce Thatch: Mowing Steve Beck, state 4-H program ductee, was named the 2021 help all Oklahomans solve lo- as they mature. Each female at the proper height and leader. “We're thankful we ers and they'll compete to winner of the Young Artist of moth can lay as many as 200 frequency will eliminate the had the capability to continue earn points for prizes all while the Year from the Texas Coun- cal issues and concerns, pro- eggs; however, they're usual- chance ofa thatch buildup. with Roundup the last couple learning about safe driving. try Music awards. mote leadership and manage ly laid in clusters of 10-35 on Do Not Overwater: Your of years, but there’s nothing Oklahoma Challenge isn’t “We're very grateful for Bai- resources wisely throughout the surfaces of grass blades. grass should only need about After the eggs hatch, re- one inch of water a week in- like experiencing this event just for teens who are driving; ley Rae and the example she is the state’s 77 counties. Most markably within 7-10 days, cluding rainfall. in person. The energy and en- it also includes working with showing Oklahoma 4-H mem- information is available at lit- very small juvenile caterpil- Turn Off Flood Lights: thusiasm are contagious and passengers. bers that they can achieve their tle to no cost. lars, about 1/2 inch in size, Turn your flood lights off at emerge and begin to feed. night since moths fly at night During their larval stage, and are attracted to the light. full grown caterpillars are With that being said, the OSU to host Greenhouse and 3/4 to an inch in length and University of Florida ‘also have four parallel rows of states that over-fertilizing dark spots along their abdo- your lawn is the leading cause men. They are solitary and for caterpillar outbre: move around individually. Chemical Control Garden Center Conference Chemicals are usually ap- ‘They also live in individu- plied al Guctows. ia Which they expillar) emerge from and feed during to suppress larval (cat- populations when they are ling. Sample the the night. It’s possible to thatch for sod webworms have as many as five separateto determine how many are hatches throughout the year. present before applying a What do sod webworms registered insecticide Best feed on? results are achieved by ap- The larval form of sod plying insecticides late in the webworms does the most afternoon or early evening damage to turfgrass. Sod when caterpillars are still ac- webworms live and feed tive. above-ground on the blades Some of the more effec- of warm season lawns in- tive insect control products cluding St. Augustine grass, either contain the active in- centipede grass, zoysia grass, edient Chlorantraniliprole seashore paspalums, carpet Geotts GrubEx), Bifenthrin grass, bahia grass and ber- (Bifen L/P and Bifen XTS), muda grass. According to the Lambda-Cyhalothrin (Spec University of Florida, they tracide Immunox Fungus + can also cause damage to the Insect Control) and Trichlor- cool season grass, bentgrass. fon (Dylox). What are the signs of a Remember to follow all sod webworm infestation? specific label directions. This ‘The first sign of an infes- will ensure that you use the tation of sod webworms is proper amount of chemical noticing transparent grass for your application, apply blades. The juvenile caterpil- the chemical correctly and lars do what is called “skele- help you with properly add- tonizing” a grass blade so ing any adjuvants necessary that only the veining struc- for the best efficacy. ture remains. They do this by Although fertilizer eating the green out of the doesn’t treat infestations, a blade and leaving it transpar- proper fertilizer schedule will ent looking. help your lawn remain strong The second indication and endure stress a little By Trisha Gedon Landscape Architecture website. Click on will be the notching of the better. You might want to STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahomans Early registration is $85 and due by In-person Horticulture Events. grass blades, The older, ma- consider a fertility program working in the greenhouse industry and Aug. 1; registration after that date is ture caterpillars will feed on such as Lawnifi®. Lawnifi is Following the informative sessions, the blades and leave notches a fertilizer program designed those interested in the gardening indus- $125. Lunch is provided. The conference participants will have a choice of two dif- on the sides. The caterpillars to give your lawn the nutri- try are invited to take part in the Green- takes place from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ferent tours, including Big Creek Nursery mostly feed at night. During ents it needs when it needs house and Garden Center Conference set Agenda topics include: and Garden Center or OSU's Greenhouse the day, they curl up in a fetal them. Subscribe to receive for Aug. 10 at Oklahoma State University. Niche opportunities for greenhouse and position in the thatch layer of seasonal Lawnifi fertilizer Learning Center. turfgrass. You can occasion- boxes throughout the year or University and industry specialists will garden center professionals ally spot them surrounded purchase each seasonal box For more information about the confer- be on hand to share their knowledge with Greenhouse production by their frass. Frass is moist, individually. participants, said Mike Schnelle, OSU Ex- Plant breeding and problem solving ence, contact Schnelle at mike.schnelle@ fresh, green fecal pellets that Lastly, for those who tension floriculture specialist and confer- Grafted vegetable production okstate.edu or 405-744-7361. are found in the thatch and prefer traditional granular OSU Extension uses research-based is another indication of the fertilizers, Lawnifi Founda- ence chair. Luminescent plants presence of sod webworms. tion is a granular fertilizer “We've got a little bit of everything for Labor and efficiency information to help all Oklahomans Another way to detect used for residential lawns everyone who has an interest in the gar- Vegetative production solve local issues and concerns, promote a problem is to do a soap and gardens that can be used dening industry,” Schnelle said. “The day All-American selections leadership and manage resources wisely flush. Before preparing the throughout the different sea- solution, determine whether sons all year long. You can is chocked full of research-based informa- The full schedule is available on the throughout the state’s 77 counties. Most you'll be monitoring a small learn more about Lawnifi in tion, and we've built in time for network- OSU Department of Horticulture and information is available at little to no cost. or a large section of your Why Use Lawnifi Fertilizer?.