The first white pine weevil larvae of the year were found in Douglas fir terminals in York county this week. Eggs have not hatched in Lebanon or Perry county but adults continue to be captured in traps in Indiana and Perry County. At a treated site in Carbon County, feeding punctures are present but the females have not survived to deposit eggs. Billbug activity was first noted on Friday May 7. Adults were collected from pitfall traps maintained at the Valentine Turfgrass Research Center.
Adults are typical weevils with elongate snouts or bills, elbowed antennae and hard wing covers.
Billbugs damage frequently is misdiagnosed during periods of drought. Degree days were calculated from a base temperature of 50' F, using a March 1 starting date. First adult activity can be expected between 280 to 350 degree days. Over the past few years, BTA has not caused significant damage to golf course turf. Appearance of first generation BTA eggs occurred when Vanhoutte spirea and horse chestnut were in full bloom or black locust had onset of blossom.