Additional and more detailed information on forage fertilization is also available. Kentucky Bluegrass Disease and Insect Pests Kentucky bluegrass is susceptible to many of the same diseases as other cool-season forage grasses. However, these diseases rarely affect plant persistence but may reduce yield and quality. Grubs cause the most serious damage Kentucky bluegrass pastures. Adult Japanese beetle, May beetle, green June beetle, northern masked chafer, and European chafer lay eggs in thin overgrazed bluegrass pastures, and the larvae feed on bluegrass roots and rhizomes.
Damage is most severe and recovery slowest during dry years.
Controlling insects in Kentucky bluegrass pastures is most easily done through good grazing and fertility practices which maintain a healthy and vigorous grass stand. Prepared by Marvin H. Hall, Associate Professor of Agronomy.