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Masked Chafer Adult
This is the adult stage of our common
White Grub. Their emergence from the soil generally occurs from
late June through mid-July with mating flights usually peaking
around July 4. The adult beetles are attracted by house lights
and will often be seen flying erratically about porch lights
during the evening. These flights are frequently monitored with
the aid of light traps. This information is helpful in timing the
hatch of the larvae.
approximate size: 1/2" long
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White Grub Larva
White Grubs are the larval stage of
several types of beetles. The most common in our area is the
Masked Chafer, which has a one year life cycle. The adults emerge
in early summer, mate, and lay eggs that subsequently hatch into
the grub that is pictured. These have the potential to severely
damage turf. The larvae of the May beetle also occurs in our
area. It has a 3 year life cycle, but rarely occurs in sufficient
numbers to damage turf.
approximate size: 1" long
More information about White Grubs
K-State
University Extension White Grub information
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Billbug Adult
This pest is common in Zoysia lawns.
They can also infest Kentucky bluegrass lawns. They lay their
eggs in early summer. After hatching the larvae migrate to the
thatch layer where they feed on the roots of the grass. These
larvae often do significant damage to lawns, and are very difficult
to control once established. The adults are often seen in the
fall on concrete surfaces adjacent to turf areas.
approximate size: 5/16-7/16"
long
K-State
University Extension Billbug information
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Billbug Larva
Billbug larvae are small, white and
legless. They have a brown head, and resemble a fat grain of
white rice. They feed with chewing mouth parts and are capable of
causing serious damage to lawns.
approximate size: 3/8"
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Chinchbug Adult
In our area, this insect is very common
only on Zoysia lawns. During late summer dry periods, populations
of this pest can rapidly explode to damaging levels. It is common
to see Chinchbug damage mistaken for drought stress in late summer.
This pest is not difficult to control, but is tiny and easily
overlooked in a lawn. The nymph stage of this insect does most of
the damage. They are reddish in color, and must be separated from
the thatch over a light colored background to be observed.
approximate size: 1/8"
long
K-State
University Extension Chinchbug information
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Stages of Chinchbug Development
approximate size:
nymph 1/32" long
adult 1/8" long
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Sodwebworm Moth
This is the adult stage of the
Sodwebworm. The adults are usually seen when they are scared up
from the lawn by the mower. They fly a short zig-zag pattern and
go back down to the turf. The adults pose no threat to the turf,
but their presence in large numbers would be a good indicator
that a potential exists for a high larvae population.
approximate size: 3/4-1"
wingspan
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Sodwebworm Larva
This insect is common in cool season
grasses. It has the potential to do damage in lawns, but is frequently
misdiagnosed as a cause for many unrelated problems. This pest is
probably the most familiar to homeowners. These larvae, as well
as many other surface feeding caterpillars, feed mainly at night,
and their presence in the lawn is best determined by seeing
droppings in the lawn. Small green fecal pellets are a good
indicator of caterpillar activity in the lawn.
approximate size: 3/4" long
K-State
University Extension Sodwebworm information
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Zoysiagrass Mites
approximate size: .005"
More information about Zoysiagrass
Mites
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Armyworm
This surface feeding caterpillar is
often the first caterpillar to appear in the spring. They occur
in cool season grasses, and their appearance often coincides with
good growing conditions for the lawn. They frequently go
unnoticed during the spring growing season. Birds feeding are
often a good indicator that these, or similar caterpillars are
present in the lawn. The presence of fecal pellets is also a good
sign of this caterpillar. They are easy to control with an
application of an appropriate insecticide.
approximate size: 1 1/2" long
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Cutworm
This caterpillar is another common late
spring to early summer pest in cool season lawns. Their diagnosis
and treatment is almost identical to that of the armyworm. This
pest can occur in huge numbers, and like other surface feeders,
their damage is often mistaken for drought or heat stress. Again,
the presence of fecal pellets is a good indicator of this insect.
Bird activity on the lawn also picks up significantly when this
pest occurs. There are several species of cutworms. The Variegated
cutworm is the most damaging in Kansas.
approximate size: 1 1/2" long
K-State
University Extension Cutworm information
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Winter
Grain Mite
Winter Grain Mites are a common mite
in our area. They are also a sucking type feeder. As the name
implies, they occur in the winter, with populations peaking in
February. They are black with bright red legs. The adults also
have a red spot on their abdomen. These mites can damage lawns.
They are especially troublesome under leaves, or a prolonged snow
cover, where they continue to feed throughout the winter. They
are easy to control, but often overlooked until spring, when the
lawn fails to green up as expected.These pest are very tiny and
difficult to observe.
approximate size: 1/32" long
K-State
University Extension Winter Grain Mite information
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Clover Mite
Clover mites are also a common in area
lawns. Their feeding is done by sucking juices from the grass
blade. They are most numerous in the spring. They tend to be
attracted to warm areas, and frequently congregate around foundations
of homes, where they can severely damage the turf. While seeking
warmth, these tiny mites can invade the house through the smallest
cracks and crevices. These pests are brownish in color, and feature
two relatively long forelegs. They are easily controlled with an
insecticide application.
approximate size: 1/32" long
Ohio
State University Extension Clover Mite information
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Greenbugs
Greenbugs are a type of aphid that
occasionally occurs on turfgrass. Their damage usually appears in
the fall.They are a sucking type feeder. They are very small, and
easily overlooked in the lawn. Their color varies from yellow to
green, depending on maturity. They can be difficult to control,
as they are on the plant, and not in contact with the soil. A
liquid insecticide, with thorough plant coverage, is most
effective on these pests.
approximate size: 1/16" long
K-State
University Extension Greenbug information
Ohio
State Extension Greenbug information
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Chigger
Chiggers are a small red mite. They
pose no threat to the grass but are a nuisance to humans because
of the itchy bites inflicted by their larvae. They are most common
in weedy areas in summer, however, do occur in home lawns and are
controlled in that situation by periodic applications of
insecticides or miticides.
approximate size: 1/32" long
Ohio
State University Extension Chigger information
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Tick
Although not a grass problem, ticks
are a common pest during the summer for warm-blooded animals.
They are receiving more attention these days because of the growing
concern about Lyme Disease. Ticks are the main carriers of this
disease. Ticks may be controlled by periodic applications of
appropriate insecticides.
approximate size: 1/8-3/16"
long
Ohio
State University Extension Tick information
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Flea
Fleas are also a common pest in summer.
Their ability to reside inside the home make them a bit more
troublesome. The newest treatments for fleas focus on a systemic
chemical that disrupts their life cycle. This is achieved by the
flea feeding on pets treated with these new products. Controlling
fleas in the home lawn is possible, and, as long as indoor populations
are in check, fleas are usually not a serious problem.
approximate size: 1/16-1/8"
long
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