A hand lens, 10x or stronger, is the only piece of equipment needed. The rastral patterns of the SMC and M-JB are seen in Figure 2. But in adult SMC, the dark colored head shades to a lighter brown clypeus, which makes the beetle appear to be wearing a mask. Conversely, the clypeus in most M-JB species is the same dark color as the rest of the head. This is because all white grub species require moist soil for their eggs to hatch.
Young grubs are very susceptible to desiccation.
Turf next to regularly watered ornamental plants is favored by the adults as oviposition sites. This dependence on soil moisture by white grubs can be exploited as a type of cultural control option. Because damaging white grub populations tend to be sporadic from year to year, preventative chemical control applications are not really justifiable. But in areas where moderate to damaging levels of grubs have been perennial, preventative applications made in late May or June may be warranted. These products must be applied shortly after egg hatch when the grubs are small and actively feeding.