What does the word ‘grub’ bring to mind? Food? To dig up something by the roots? How about an insect larva? Yeah, that’s it. To most people in Kansas, it means the C-shaped larva of beetles called scarabs. Many species of scarabs can be found in Kansas and several of them attack turf grasses. The larvae of “masked chafers” are the annual white grubs associated with turfgrass damage.

On average, eggs deposited by masked chafer beetles, also called May beetles or June bugs, hatch in 10-14 days. Grub development is relatively rapid. By mid-to late September, larvae voraciously feed on root systems causing visible damage to turf. In situations where “perfect stands of turf” are expected, now through mid July is the optimal time to apply insecticides.