BioShield® Grass Grub bio-insecticide
The safe, effective way to control NZ grass grub
BioShield Grass Grub is a bio-control agent which only kills grass grub. It is safe for humans, stock and other insects.
How it works:
Use BioShield® Grass Grub to control New Zealand grass grub populations. BioShield® Grass Grub contains the active ingredient Serratia entomophila, a soil bacterium that occurs naturally in New Zealand that causes amber disease in the New Zealand grass grub (Costelytra zealandica).
BioShield® Grass Grub starts a disease cycle in NZ grass grub larvae. This leads to a population decline thereby reducing the pasture damage caused by the larvae.
- BioShield® Grass Grub is eaten by grass grubs:
Once BioShield® Grass Grub granule is drilled below the soil surface, it is ingested by the grass grub larvae which take in soil while they are feeding on plants and roots. - Grass grubs develop amber disease:
Once inside the grass grub gut, the Serratia entomophila bacteria multiply and cause an illness known as amber disease. This causes the grass grub to stop feeding within 2-3 days and they starve. - The infection is recycled:
Death of the infected, non-feeding grass grub larvae may take 1-2 months to occur. When infected grass grub die, the Serratia entomophila bacteria in their gut are released and enter the soil where they can be ingested by other grass grubs. This way a cycle of infection is set up and long term control of the grass grub is achieved. Diseased larvae are characterised by a clear gut giving them an amber appearance. The dead grass grub larvae will not be visible as they disappear by natural decay processes
- Causes amber disease in NZ grass grub
- Prevents a build-up of grass grub populations
- Reduces pasture damage caused by grass grub larvae
- Safe for humans, animals and other insects
- Registered pursuant of the ACVM Act 1997 No.P7112
- Available in easy-flow granules applied via a seed drill
- A 15 kg bag treats 0.5 ha
Does my paddock need treatment?
Was it cultivated, pasture species and other questions.
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Directions for use:
| Application Rate | Application | Application Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Apply 30 kg/ha as a subsurface application to pasture when grass grub larvae are actively feeding. | Drill to a depth of 20 - 30mm below the soil surface. BioShield® granules can be applied separate to or in conjunction with seed. | Apply to pasture when the late 2nd - mid 3rd instar grass grub larvae are actively feeding (February to mid-April). Do not apply later than mid-April as grass grub larvae have usually developed beyond the susceptible stages by this date. |
Maximising activity of BioShield® Grass Grub
- Soil moisture content must be above 15-20% for drilling BioShield® Grass Grub into soil.
- Do not apply after April as the grass grub larvae will have usually developed beyond the susceptible stages by this date.
Post treatment management - Do not use;
- Alternative grass grub control practices such as heavy rolling or insecticide treatments after application as this will reduce the effectiveness of BioShield® Grass Grub.
- Cultivation following treatment as it is likely to reduce the effectiveness of BioShield® Grass Grub.
- Mob stocking of the treated paddock within the first six weeks after application of BioShield® Grass Grub to ensure the Serratia entomophila become established in the grass grub population, so setting up the long-term cycle of control.
- It is an offence to use this product on animals.
- BioShield® must not be applied directly onto or into water.
- Withholding period: Nil
- Compatibility: Call BioStart 0800 116 229 for a compatibility list.
NOTE: Assess grass grub larvae numbers in the area to be treated using standard sampling procedures. BioShield® Grass Grub works best when the population density is between 100 and 300 larvae/m2. Use BioShield® Grass Grub to prevent populations of grass grub growing above 300 larvae/m2. Application to very high larvae populations will not prevent all pasture damage in the season of application. BioShield® Grass Grub will start a cycle of disease in the grass grubs that will lead to a population decline.
Downloads:
MSDS Sheet
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Does your paddock require treatment
with BioShield Grass Grub?
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Product Information Sheet
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