The adults do not feed. Damage Symptoms Turf begins to show drought stress in late summer into fall or spring and does not rapidly recover after rain or irrigation. Heavy infestations result in turf dying in irregular patches. Birds, skunks, raccoons and opossums commonly dig up turf around the dead patches. Moles may tunnel extensively where grub populations are high.
Infested turf feels spongy under foot and is easily lifted because of the absence of roots.
The adults do not feed on ornamental plants or turf. Description of Stages Masked Chafers have a typical annual scarab life cycle with a complete metamorphosis. Determining the species of larvae and adults of all of the Cyclocephala is difficult without the assistance of a taxonomist. These pearly white eggs absorb moisture from surrounding soil and increase to 2.1 mm in diameter and have a nearly spherical shape. The mouthparts must be dissected to distinguish between the northern and southern masked chafers.