Turfgrass-Associated Arthropods and Near Relatives

This chapter highlights turfgrass-associated arthropods and near relatives. Some arthropods cause no injury to turfgrass but are present in the turfgrass ecosystem for a variety of reasons. Some are attracted to the usually damp soil surface with a protective cover that makes an ideal habitat for feeding and hiding. Others use turfgrass areas mainly as a resting place when they are not on the wing. Others that are parasitic on warm-blooded animals are present in lawns because pets rest there. The chapter looks at turfgrass-associated invertebrates, arthropods, and insects. Many of these insects and arthropods are beneficial to the turf environment because they prey directly on pest species. The chapter then considers the effect of insecticides on nontarget arthropods.