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Lawn Grubs (White Grubs) In
Gardens and Lawns
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The larval stage of a number of leaf-feeding
beetles
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Summary:
Lawn grubs (white grubs) are the larval stage of scarab
beetles. These larvae feed on roots of plants
often causing significant damage. Grub control is
sometimes necessary in lawns and managed turf areas
like golf courses.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU
Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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Identification of
lawn/white grubs
White grubs
(right) are the larval stage of certain beetles,
called scarabs (family: Scarabidae). Japanese
beetles and June beetles [photo of June beetles] are
familiar examples of scarab beetles. These larvae
live in the soil where they feed on organic matter
and plant roots. Damage is done when larvae eat the
roots of plants and grasses leaving them unable to
obtain water. Adult beetles, like Japanese beetle,
can also damage the foliage of host plants.
White grubs are easy to
identify, at least to the family level. They are
fairly large, creme-colored larvae with 3
distinct pairs of legs and an amber-colored
head. The tail end of the larva is often packed with
soil particles, visible as a dark mass, and the body
is often bend into a "C" shape (see photo, right).
common names &
misnomers: whitegrubs
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White/lawn
grub larva photo by Steven Katovich,
USDA Forest Service, www.forestryimages.org
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Turf damage caused
by grubs
Because grubs feed on
roots, damage is usually first noticed during dry
periods when injured plants cannot get the water
they need. Turf often dies in large, irregular-shaped
patches. Birds and other predators may
damage turf as well in order to prey on white grub
larvae in the soil.
Stop grub damage
Managers of golf
courses, and similar commercial turf areas,
generally resort to conventional soil-applied
insecticides to control infestations of
grubs. Imidacloprid (Merit Insecticide, Bayer
Advanced; see What
is Merit Insecticide?) is one of the more
effective conventional insecticides for this
application. A relatively new product, Allectus,
combines imidacloprid with another insecticide,
bifenthrin.
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Most homeowners, however,
will do better focusing on improving turf health
through proper watering and fertilization, and use of
the natural microbial insecticides Milky Spore
and/or entomopathogenic nematodes. Milky Spore (also called Milky
Disease) is a natural soil bacterium that infects and
kills grubs. It is commonly used for Japanese beetle
control but also works for other turf-damaging lawn
grub species.
Entomopathogenic
nematodes (see Using Nemtodes
For Grub Control) are also a natural component
of most soils. These tiny hunters attack white grubs
and kill the larvae. The nematodes can be easily
applied to infested turf to augment the natural
population. Both Milky Spore insecticide and
entomopathogenic nematodes are available at some lawn
and garden stores or online here.
What are Japanese
Beetles?
Using Merit
Insecticide (Imidacloprid)
Using Entomopathogenic
Nematodes for Soil Pests
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
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