Routine lawn care will aid the lawn in withstanding damage and will aid recovery from damage but will not stop the feeding activity of the larvae. The development of resistant strains of grass may provide a future means of reducing or stopping larval damage. The different species of white grubs that infest lawns cause similar turf damage and are similar in appearance. Grub damage in lawns occurs when larvae feed on the roots of grass causing the grass plant to turn brown and die. The size of the brown patches varies depending on the number of larvae feeding in a particular area.
Dead patches become more noticeable as the summer growing season progresses.
Feeding damage of grubs separates the turf from the roots so effectively that the turf and thatch can be rolled or pulled up like carpeting, often exposing the larvae below. The larvae also damage the roots of pasture grasses, corn, small grains, strawberries, potatoes and other garden vegetables. The cycle begins when adults emerge in late May or early June. The wing covers are hard and may be smooth and shiny or covered with short hairs. Newly emerged adults mate and the females burrow 3 to 7 inches into the soil to lay eggs.