University of Kentucky studies bluegrass weevil threat to golf courses

The University of Kentucky’s Department on Entomology is conducting research to combat the annual bluegrass weevil (ABW), a pest that has recently spread to the Southeast. The insect poses a significant threat to turfgrasses, particularly on golf courses, where it can kill large areas of grass by feeding on leaf blades and the plant's growth point.

Caleb Wilson, an assistant professor of Urban Landscape Entomology at the university, stated that while the biology of the weevil is understood in the Northeast, researchers need to determine its seasonal activity and population peaks within the Bluegrass region. The study aims to provide superintendents in Central Kentucky with better management tools to reduce pest control costs.

The project is funded by a gift from the Kentuckiana Golf Course Superintendents Association (KGCSA) to advance regional turfgrass research.