Acelepryn is a new insecticide for the UK for the control of turf soil pests in lawns and sports turf surfaces.

The product is applied as a liquid spray over the lawn surface, where it is washed down into the soil. In the soil, it specifically targets leatherjackets and chafer grubs.

These soil pests are responsible for eating through turf roots, which can weaken and kill the plants, as well as make them more susceptible to drought and other problems. Furthermore, badgers, foxes, birds and other predators searching for the larvae can cause widespread damage to lawns and turf surfaces.

Full approval for Acelepryn in Spring 2023 now covers control of chafer grubs and leatherjackets in sports pitches, golf greens, tees and fairways, golf roughs, racecourses and gallops, bowling greens, airfields, and professional application to commercial and residential lawns.

Acelepryn acts on muscle function by binding to the Ryanodine receptors in insect muscles. These receptors regulate calcium release and control muscle contraction. The binding of Acelepryn to these receptors causes paralysis in the insect. Mammals, birds, and fish do not use calcium to regulate muscle function in the same way as insects and hence Acelepryn is very safe to use.

Acelepryn is aimed to target the early stages of the grubs as soon as possible after egg hatch and these are referred to as the 1st and 2nd instars. The optimal time of application is October for leatherjackets and May - Aug for Chafer grubs. This late autumn timing would ensure that Acelepryn is in the soil to target leatherjacket larvae at their early instar stages.

3rd Instars will be paralyzed but are less affected by Acelepryn as they are feeding less and are preparing for pupation.

Acelepryn will take 3-4 weeks to move through the thatch and into the soil. Once concentrated in the soil thatch interface it will provide 2 months

additional protection.

Acelepryn can only be applied once per year in October/November when peak flight occurs so it is important that we follow all the recommended steps leading up to the treatment to ensure the best possible chance of a successful application.

What are chafer grubs?

Chafer grubs are creamy colored, about 15mm (0.6”) in length with distinct legs. Chafer beetles emerge from lawns and lay eggs, which hatch into grubs that feed on the grassroots. The grass is then easily pulled up, with little or no root. Chafer grubs attack grass roots resulting in slow growth and yellow patches and the grubs also encourage wildlife to damage the turf in search of a meal.

They burrow deeper for winter and lie dormant before surfacing in spring to emerge as beetles.
Beetle traps can be installed around the garden to catch these beetles before they re-lay their eggs which will help to control their population.

The Optimum Time to treat the Chafer grubs is June - July.

As part of the treatment process, watering the lawn is vital after application.

Watering would need to take place every day for the next two weeks unless we get rainfall. Watering should be done little and often to keep the ground moist.

If you would like some more information please get in touch.