Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

How does heavily infested turf with Masked chafers typically appear?

1. It shows vibrant green patches

2. It exhibits drought stress with dead patches

3. It appears uniformly thick

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: It exhibits drought stress with dead patches

Heavily infested turf with Masked chafers typically exhibits drought stress with dead patches due to the larvae feeding on the roots of the grass. As these larvae consume the root systems, the grass is unable to uptake water and nutrients effectively, leading to wilting and eventual death of the grass in those areas. This results in a patchy appearance that can resemble drought stress even in adequately watered areas. The vibrant green patches and uniformly thick appearance options do not accurately describe the condition of turf infested with Masked chafers, as these scenarios would suggest healthy grass growth. Instead, the presence of dead patches indicates significant root damage caused by the larvae feeding. Therefore, the observation of drought stress with dead patches is a clear indication of heavy infestation.