Leather CONTROL3a - Natural Insect Control

GUARDIAN ™
When Do I Apply?
LEATHERJACKET
CONTROL
Beneficial Nematodes
Leatherjacket larvae are very hard to control.
Early application of Beneficial nematodes is key.
Spring: If larvae are seen in the soil apply May – June.
Higher concentration of nematodes is required in spring as the
leatherjacket is more difficult to kill.
Autumn: Apply after flight of adults – late September to
October when the larvae are young and easier to control.
May
Crane fly adults are slender, long-legged flies (that look like
giant mosquitos) that emerge in Autumn. Leatherjacket, the
larval stage of the Crane Fly feeds on the roots of grass
causing yellow patches, thinning and death. A female Crane
fly can lay 300 eggs that hatch into leatherjacket larvae and
quickly become a serious pest of turf grass. Nematodes are
living organisms – natural parasites! They are microscopic
worms that occur naturally in the soil. Nematodes hunt down
and kill Leatherjacket Larvae (Grubs)! Leatherjackets start
feeding in September and again in April.
June
July
August
Sept.
Coverage Area
• Spring - 528 ft2 (50m2) harder to control in spring, requires
more nematodes.
• Fall - 2,000 ft2 (186m2).
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Larvae entering non-feeding stage
and form a pupa in the soil.
Larvae feed during spring on
roots and blades of grass.
• More cold tolerant, apply when soil is 10˚C
• More aggressive to Canadian Pest insects
• Fresher & Stronger
• Live Host Raised
• Non Toxic – Chemical FREE
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Adults emerge
in September to
mate and
lay eggs.
GUARDIAN™ is the only
CANADIAN Nematode!
CANADIAN NEMATODES EH!
Oct.
Apply beneficial
nematodes for
best control.
Larvae hatch in soil
and feed during fall.
Cranefly/Leatherjacket Life Cycle
Common Insect Pests controlled
Complete Solution for Natural Lawn Grub Control!
Crane fly / Leatherjacket
May / June Beetle
Root Weevils
Fleas
Lawn Grubs
Japanese Beetles
Iris Borer
European Chafer
Cutworms
Webworms
+ 250 other Insect Pests
EASY TO APPLY 1-2-3
1. Pre-water area being treated 2 – 3” (5 – 8cm) deep.
2. Mix Beneficial Nematodes in 4L water, to make a
concentrated solution. Use a hose end sprayer or
watering can to apply.
3. Keep soil watered for 3 – 4 days after application to
ensure the nematodes get into the soil to find grubs.
Distributed by:
Tel.: 905•382•2904
www.naturalinsectcontrol.com
FRONT
BACK
Final Size 8.5 x 3.625
Leatherjackets or European CraneFlies
This pest was first reported in the Whitby, Toronto and
Hamilton Mountain area in 1996-1998. The larva of this
European crane fly, called leatherjacket is most damaging
in turf and pastures grasses, but has shown to damage fruit,
vegetable and flower crops.
Life Cycle of European Cranefly / Leatherjacket
• Adult: resemble large mosquitoes (size 1.5cm to
2.5cm) with grayish brown body.
• Larvae: light grey, greenish brown cylindrical grub
with tapered ends, 3-4 cm at maturity.
• Pupa: brown, spiny and 3.3cm in length.
In a typical year this is what we see
One generation per season
• May:-Larvae (fourth instar) found feeding on top of
the soil
• Mid June: Larvae stop feeding and move down into
the soil (3-5cm)
• Mid August:-pupate in mid to late August.
• September-October:-Adults emerge lay 200-300 eggs, live 4 -7 days
Eggs need immediate moisture to survive and hatch 11-15 days later.
Once hatched the larva feed throughout fall and warm periods in winter in upper 3cm of
soil.
Leatherjackets and Beneficial Nematodes: NIC’S Guardian Specific for Craneflies
• In early spring we had good success with applying the nematodes on the feeding larva.
However the rate of application must be doubled.
• Later applications on the non-feeding larva did not gain desired control. Leatherjackets
stop feeding around mid-June in Ontario, but remain deep in the soil until they pupate in
late summer.
• In Ontario, the adult Cranefly (looks like a giant mosquito) flies, mates and lays eggs in
your lawn. When you see them flying usually September, this is the time to apply
Guardian. NIC’s Canadian strain of beneficial nematode specific for
Cranefly/Leatherjacket control.
Fun Fact: Tipulidae is the largest family of flies (Order
Diptera) with 1,517 species in the US and Canada. Most
larvae are aquatic or semi-aquatic. There are only four
species of tipulids that are considered pests.