Turfgrass Insects of the United States and Canada

The first edition of this reference work became known as the bible of turfgrass entomology upon publication in 1987. It has proved invaluable to professional entomologists, commercial turf managers, and golf course superintendents and has been used widely in college extension courses. This classic of the field is now in its third edition, providing up-to-date and complete coverage of turfgrass pests in the continental United States, Hawaii, and southern Canada.

This revised volume integrates all relevant research from the previous two decades. It provides expanded coverage of several pest species, including the annual bluegrass weevil, invasive crane fly species, chinch bugs, billbugs, mole crickets, and white grubs. Patricia J. Vittum also provides detailed information on the biology and ecology of all major pests and includes the most current information on conditions that favor insect development and biological control strategies pertinent to each species.

This edition will include more than 100 black-and-white images, including diagrams of life cycles, sketches of morphological characteristics, and charts highlighting seasonal activity. The book also includes 72 full-color plates (more than 500 color images), showing closeup pictures of most of the key insects (adult and immature stages) and damaged turf. The reader should be able to identify most turf insects through the use of this text. It is a critical reference work that any serious turf professional should own.

Patricia J. Vittum spent thirty-seven years on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, conducting research on the biology and ecology of several turf insects. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the United States Golf Association Green Section in 2015 and from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in 2017.

This contribution updates and expands the excellent first edition by Tashiro... and will become the new standard reference for turfgrass entomology. Users still must tailor the information to their turfgrass species in their environments to make the most effective use of the book. This task is much easier with the depth and breadth of information provided.

This revised and expanded second edition is excellent and is highly recommended for anyone working with turfgrasses and their pests.

Rick L. Brandenburg, North Carolina State University:

There is no book available that offers such comprehensive, yet in-depth coverage of turfgrass insects and associated pests. The team of highly regarded authors mastered the challenge of integrating the latest research findings and produced an outstanding volume with the finest collection of color plates of pests and damage found anywhere. If you only have one book as a reference for turfgrass insect management, this should definitely be the one!