European Chafer

Amphimallon majale or Rhizotrogus majalis- The European Chafer is a beetle of the Scarabaeidae family. The adult beetles are about half an inch long and reddish-brown in color. The larvae feed primarily on the roots of grass and turf, and are a serious pest that can cause substantial damage. Though adult beetles are not harmful, European Chafer grubs can quickly decimate lawns and turf.


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Description of Pest
Damage
How Nematodes Help
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The European Chafer is a beetle of the Scarabaeidae family. The adult beetles are about half an inch long and reddish-brown in color. The larvae, called white grubs, are milky white and c-shaped which is typical of all types of white grubs. The larvae feed primarily on the roots of grass and turf, and are a serious pest that can cause substantial damage. Many animals eat white grubs, and can cause additional damage digging for them. The European Chafer’s life cycle is typically one year. Adults lay their eggs in the soil in the summer. A female European Chafer can usually lay about 50 eggs in her short life. The eggs hatch in August and the larvae begin feeding on plant roots in the soil. The larvae overwinter in the soil, and emerge to continue feeding in the spring. The grubs pupate in late spring or early summer, before emerging as adults.