True white grubs are the larvae of May beetles (also called June Beetles) found in the genus Phyllophaga, of which there are over 100 different species. Corn, and other crops, planted after CRP and other sod are considered at higher risk for damage from species of true white grub. For more information on our lawn grub control services, click the button below: Eggs hatch 10 days after being laid. New York. As grub feeding continues, areas of turf (sod) begin to wilt and turn brown. After mating, female beetles dig 2 to 5 inches into the soil to lay eggs. The grub worm is not exactly a worm, like your friend the earthworm. The bodies of white grubs grow considerably between each molt. Rivers, R.L., Pike, K.S., & Mayo, Z.B. 241. If you suspect you have lawn grubs there are treatments available. Phyllophaga crinita: damage assessment and control in grain sorghum and wheat. Bruce Potter, integrated pest management specialist, Southwest Research and Outreach Center and Phillip Glogoza, Extension educator. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. New York. When disturbed, these grubs curl up into a “C” shape which gave them their common name. A sampling plan for studies on the population dynamics of white grubs, Phyllophaga spp. W hite grubs are the most widespread and de-structive insect pest of turfgrass. In the late stages, white curl grubs tend to cause the most damage to lawns and garden beds as this is the time when they’re feeding the most. How Natural Predators Kill Lawn Grubs Biological predators, like birds, raccoons, moles and more, are an option when it comes to grub … Dubuque, Iowa. No-tillage or reduced tillage crop management encourages grub populations. Sod-forming grass stands are preferred egg-laying sites for some Phyllophaga species. It’s good to keep in mind that it can take a while to break up the cycle so you want to look for something that is going to remain in the soil, like LSA Grub Guard. White Grubs Management and Control Methods. However, there are some definite hallmarks of white grub activity. In their earliest phase, grubs feed on decaying organic matter. Sweetman, H.L. Ives, W.G.H., & Warren, G.L. The beetles lay their eggs in well irrigated lawns in July. As it grows, the larva must shed its exoskeleton (molt) between each of three distinct larval stages or instars (Figures 4 and 11). The pupa is usually white, faint yellow, or dark brown in color. Also, Cordyceps fungus infects the grubs. This is why, in general, insurance insecticide applications aren’t likely to provide economic benefit. White grubs are the immature form of scarab beetles. Includes Aphodius spp.. Pest description and crop damage White grubs are the larvae of a number of scarab beetle species. The greatest damage to crops occurs the year after the appearance of the adults. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 58(2), 202-206. How can a gardener get rid of the grubs? However, the distribution of individual species usually is more restricted. (1998). Each female can lay up to 30 to 40 eggs, which hatch in approximately two weeks. Also known as Scleranthus annuus, White Grubs can be found in all different types of grasses all across North America. (2015). Maize pests of North America. Corn seedlings whose growth is slowed by cool weather or other environmental factors can be more vulnerable to stand loss. Incidence of fungi in natural populations of Phyllophaga spp. Destructive and Useful Insects: Their Habits and Control. Within a species and geographic region, one brood in the three-year cycle tends to dominate in a region and its larvae are the ones producing significant stand losses during their second spring. Photograph by James Castner, University of Florida. 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