Up and down the country, greenkeepers and golf course managers are sharing images of grub infestations that look more akin to something from a horror movie.
The images are of leatherjackets, the larvae of the crane fly (daddy-long-legs), brought to the surface of fairways and greens using a method known as “sheeting”. This labour-intensive process involves laying huge tarpaulins across the surface of infested areas to trick the larvae into thinking that it is night-time and safe to come to the surface to feed on grass leaves while it is cooler….
This article highlights the huge problem of leatherjackets and considers the factors influencing this year’s vast infestations and options for the management of these increasingly prevalent pests.
