Landscape Investment

Chinchbugs

Chinchbugs can be a problem on turfgrass throughout much of our area.  They are so small that they can literally destroy a lawn without ever being actually observed.

Females start laying eggs in late spring and normally deposit over 200 eggs during a 20 - 30 day period.  Eggs are laid in the sheaths of grass plants, or other protected places and they hatch in 7 - 10 days.  The tiny red nymphs are wingless and have a white to pale yellow band across their backs.  They are extremely active, have strong appetites and start feeding immediately.  As they grow older, their colour gradually becomes darker and depending on temperature, they become adults in about 5 weeks.  The adult chinchbug has a black body that measures about 1/5 of an inch in length and a black triangular pad separates white, folded wings.

Chinchbugs become active in warm temperatures and activity reach a peak during extended periods of hot, dry  weather.  The chinchbug inserts its slender beak into the grass plant and extracts fluids.  Activity often starts near the reflected heat of walkways and streets but soon spreads outward into healthy turf.  The most susceptible turfs are those in sunny, sloping areas and under moisture stress.  As the grass turns from pale yellow to a lifeless tan, it is most often confused with drought.

Two or more generations can be produced in a growing season.  First generations often complete their life cycles before the first frost.  Succeeding generations hibernate in the thatch and upper parts of the soil.

We can we control Chinchbugs? Please contact our office.