White Grubs on Legume Vegetables
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White grubs (Phyllophaga sp., Cyclocephala sp., and Popillia japonica) are larvae of June beetles. They damage legume crops by feeding on plant roots. White grubs are C-shaped with a distinct brown head capsule. While bodies are generally white to cream-colored, rear ends may be gray to brown. Size can range from 3/8 to 2 inches. White grubs are more common in soils high in organic matter and can be common in fields following sod, fields that had high numbers of Japanese or June beetles the previous year, or fields bordering tree lots.
White grub.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Soil-applied insecticides at planting can reduce damage.
- There are no rescue treatments.