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White Grubs

Beverly Sparks and Will Hudson, Extension Entomologists

Identification: These grubs are plump, C-shaped insects with three pairs of legs. They are whitish with dark areas near the rear. They have a distinct, brown head. The adults are beetles commonly referred to as chafers, May beetles, June beetles, and others.

Life Cycle and Diagnosis: Adult female beetles lay their eggs in the soil. The grubs hatch and spend most of their life beneath the soil feeding on underground plant parts. Most have rather long life cycles with the grub stages lasting from several months to two or three years. Grub feeding destroys the roots, leaving the tops to wither and die. In heavy infestations roots are pruned off to the extent that turf can be rolled back like a carpet.

White grubs

Estimate the grub population in your lawn to determine if treatment is necessary. Fall or early spring is the best time to look for grubs. At these times the grubs are near the soil surface feeding at the root zone. Use a spade to cut three sides of a strip one foot square by two or three inches deep. Force the spade under the sod and lay it back, using the uncut side as a hinge. Use a trowel to dislodge soil from the overturned roots. Count the grubs in the exposed soil. Replace the strip of sod. Following the same procedure, cut strips of sod in several other parts of the lawn and count grubs under each strip. Calculate the average number of grubs per square foot of lawn by dividing the total number of grubs by the number of strips. If the average number lies between 5 to 10 grubs in non-irrigated turf or greater than 20 grubs in highly maintained, irrigated turf, control measures may be required.

Insect Pests of Home Lawns

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The Bugwood Network
Department of Entomology - College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia - Athens, Tifton, Griffin, and Statesboro GA USA
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Page last modified: Tuesday, April 10, 2001