Several species of beetles have soil-dwelling larvae called white grubs. In Iowa, common white grubs are larvae of ½ inch-long beetles called masked chafers.

Healthy, well-watered turf can withstand population as large as 10 grubs per square foot, but weakened, drought-stressed grass may be killed by population half that large.

Grubs cause severe lawn damage by destroying the grass root system. Dead spots will result if control measures and frequent watering are not initiated shortly after symptoms first appear.

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