UDAF Japanese Beetle Inspectors Work With Real Salt Lake Soccer to Prevent Insect Infestation

Team readies to import 2.5 acres of grass for new field

In an effort to guard against the accidental importation of the destructive Japanese beetle, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) is overseeing the importation of grass sod destined for Real Salt Lake’s new soccer stadium. Real Salt Lake is purchasing more than 100,000 square feet of specially developed turf for its stadium in Sandy. The sod will come from Graff’s Turf Farm in Fort Morgan, Colorado. Colorado is one of several states with an infestation of Japanese beetle.

“This is the largest importation of turf into Utah in recent memory,” said Plant Industry Director, Clair Allen. “Considering our existing infestation of Japanese beetle in Orem, we are taking extraordinary efforts to prevent even one more beetle from entering Utah,” he added.

UDAF Entomologist, Ed Bianco, and Allen traveled to Fort Morgan June 3, to witness Graff’s treatment of the sod with an insecticide to kill any immature beetles, should they be present.
Bianco and Allen plan to return to Fort Morgan later this month to inspect the cutting of the sod and its placement on semi trucks for the trip to Utah. The grass and its attached soil will be examined for the presence of Japanese beetles that would be in the grub, or worm-like, stage.

“This is strictly a precautionary measure,” said Allen. “The closest known beetle infestation is 50 miles away from the turf farm, near the Denver airport. We just want to be cautious,” he added.

Utah agricultural regulations require imported plant material, including grass sod, to be inspected and certified that it is free from insects and disease. As a precaution plants and soils from infested areas are required to be chemically treated to prevent the spread of pests.

The Real turf is specially designed to grow in sandy soils to allow for quick drainage during rain. Graff’s Turf Farm is one of the few sod growers that could produce this amount of this specialty sod.
Graff’s has supplied turf to various major league sports stadiums such as: Wrigley Field in Chicago, Bush Stadium in St. Louis, Coors Field and Invesco Field in Denver and other professional ball parks.

Posted June 16, 2008