Grub Information Sheet

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European Chafer is native to western and central Europe and then discovered on the East Coast in 1940 and has since spread from there. Because European Chafer is an import, there are no predators, parasites or diseases that help keep this insect in control. There are safe effective pesticides that, when used at the correct time of the year, will control grub populations, preventing significant turf damage. Grub-X, Merit and Mach 2 can be used the first week in July to prevent damage in the Fall.

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Behavior and damage

 

The grubs are typically C-shaped white grubs that reach a maximum size of one inch long and 1/4 inch wide. These grubs look similar to other white grubs, i.e., May or June Beetle and Japanese Beetle.  European Chafers are found more in dry soils, so irrigated lawns may not have a significant problem. Homeowners with fall or spring turf damage, or saw the mating swarms in their neighborhoods, may want to consider using insecticide to control white grubs.

 

Last year, European Chafer grub feeding resulted in severe damage to lawns in many of our service areas. It is probably the most serious pest of your lawn. With the reports that are coming in, the potential for damage to turf in local counties is high.

Around the middle of June to early July adult European Chafers emerge from the soil. They are about ½ inch-long and light brown. Around dusk thousands of adults swarm around trees or large shrubs. They do not feed but fly for about half an hour and mate. The swarms are quite spectacular. The female then enters the soil to lay her eggs. The eggs are deposited two to four inches below the soil surface. Eggs hatch in early August and the grubs begin to feed on grass roots and will continue into November.

  The grubs that survive the winter, which most do, resume feeding in April and will continue through early June. When grub populations are high enough (10 grubs per square foot) significant root damage will occur. As a result, large patches of turf will die and turn brown, which will be quite visible by the next spring. With the grass roots eaten, a homeowner will be able to lift large sections of turf where the grubs should be visible.

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