Date of Award
8-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Entomology, Soils and Plant Sciences
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Muhammad Ahmed
Committee Member
Dr. David Coyle
Committee Member
Dr. Nilesh Timilsina
Committee Member
Dr. Joseph Roberts
Abstract
Urban turfgrass systems are typically maintained as low-diversity monocultures that rely heavily on pesticides, resulting in simplified habitats, reduced arthropod diversity, and limited natural pest suppression. The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) remains a major pest in these systems, and its outbreaks are often linked to diminished predator activity. This thesis evaluated how plant diversity, tree canopy structure, and insecticide residues influence predator–prey interactions and biological control in managed turfgrass landscapes. Chapter I synthesized current literature on turfgrass ecology, habitat complexity, and natural enemy dynamics, identifying strong evidence that plant diversity enhances predator communities, while the ecological role of trees in turf systems remains poorly resolved. Chapter II used behavioral segmentation of homeowners in Clemson, South Carolina, to characterize distinct management groups based on pesticide use, pollinator-supporting actions, and lawn-care attitudes, revealing substantial behavioral variation with direct implications for ecological outcomes. Chapter III experimentally tested the effects of turfgrass diversity, canopy structure, and insecticide residues on predator abundance, predation rates, and fall armyworm survival. Turfgrass diversity increased predation and reduced pest survival, whereas tree canopy did not enhance biological control and was associated with reduced predator activity. Insecticide residues further suppressed predator performance and increased fall armyworm survival. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that plant diversity strengthens biological control in turfgrass systems, while tree canopy alone does not provide similar benefits. Ecologically informed turfgrass management incorporates plant diversity and reduces pesticide inputs, offering a more sustainable pathway for pest regulation in urban landscapes.
Recommended Citation
Yadav, Nisha, "Assessing the Efficacy of Biological Control of Spodoptera Frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Through Plant Diversity and Tree Integration in Urban Turf Systems" (2026). All Theses. 4838.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4838
Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0000-1597-536X