True or False: There are Kentucky bluegrass cultivars that are resistant to billbug feeding.

• A. False
• B. Not sure
• C. Sometimes
• D. True

Answer: (D)

Some Kentucky bluegrass cultivars have natural resistance or tolerance to billbug feeding, so they tend to suffer less damage under billbug pressure. Billbugs attack turf by feeding on crowns and roots, which weakens the stand and causes thinning. When breeding and testing bluegrass, researchers look for traits that make a cultivar less appealing to billbugs or better able to withstand feeding, such as tougher crowns or more vigorous recovery. Because of these genetic differences, certain cultivars perform better in areas where billbugs are a problem. It’s important to remember that even resistant cultivars aren’t completely immune under heavy infestations, so strong pest monitoring and integrated management remain wise.