A pyrgotid fly, a natural enemy of white grubs, Phyllophaga spp. The heavy-bodied June beetles vary from 12 to 25 mm (0.5 to 1 inch) and have shiny wing covers (elytra). A pelecinid wasp, a natural enemy of white grubs, Phyllophaga spp. It then enters into the ‘pupal stage’ which can take up to 9 months and usually happens over the winter period. Meanwhile, the grubs or larvae that started life early in spring begin to emerge as lawn foraging beetles. They feed on foliage and flowers at night, sometimes causing considerable damage. In the late summer and fall of their third year (or second year in the case of Phyllophaga tristis), larvae begin pupating in the soil. Insecticide control of a white grub. Two parallel rows of spines seen on the undersi… Grubs feed close to the surface of the lawn and are most vulnerable to chemical control with pesticides at this time. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Eggs: Eggs are usually 1.5 to 3 mm in diameter and found encased in soil aggregates. Adult Japanese beetles (June bugs) typically lay eggs in lawns in June. In 3 to 4 weeks, small grubs (larvae) hatch from eggs and develop through three stages (instars), with the first two stages lasting about 3 weeks. June Bug Grubs. During this stage, the larva begin to take the shape of the adult beetle. Photograph by John L. Capinera, University of Florida. Adults bury themselves under the dirt during the day, reports the University of Missouri. Within 13 (a 13-year-old cicada) or 17 years (a 17-year-old cicada) in the soil, the mature nymphs emerge and climb right onto some vertical surface or nearby vegetation. 1966. June beetle larvae, called white grubs, are about 25 mm (1 inch) long and live in the soil. Grubs begin to feed again, this time more aggressively. Insect Pests of Farm, Garden, and Orchard. How to Know the Beetles. The outer skin of the grub is thicker than in the fall, making chemical control at this time nearly impossible. Larvae develop through 3 larval stages (instars) where they grow then shed their exoskeleton (a process known as moulting) at each stage. This results in drought susceptibility and the ability to easily pull the grass away from the soil surface. As they grow and feed in July, the females begin laying a series of 60 eggs under the soil. Adults emerge the following spring. Grubs feed close to the surface of the lawn and are most vulnerable to chemical control with pesticides at this time. ), and the green June beetle (Cotinis nitida Linnaeus). Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, University of Illinois Extension: White Grubs in Lawns, Cornell University: A Grub's Life: Egg to Beetle, University of Missouri Extension: White Grubs in the Lawn. The grubs burrow deep underground to survive the winter. White grubs are the slug-like larval stage of many insects. The egg, larva, and pupa life cycle stages develop underground and unless soil is removed or dug into, these life stages will not be seen. (no longer available online). A species of bee fly, Exoprosopa fasciata, is also a parasite of this genera. Most adults are yellow to dark reddish-brown to black, robust, oblong, glossy beetles. Scarab beetles generally lay their eggs in the ground, in dung, or in other decomposing materials including carrion. After developing into the third and final instar stage, fully mature larvae are typically 25 mm in length and ready to pupate. White grub, Phyllophaga spp., infected with Cordyceps fungus. Once larvae have overwintered, they move again to the surface for a brief feeding period before becoming a fully developed adult in September. The last larval stage remains in the soil from the fall through spring. Pupa: The length of the pupae varies from 20 to 24 mm long. Larvae are white with a C-shaped body, brown head, and three pairs of legs. 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