Growth, Survival, and Damage Relationships of White Grubs In Bermudagrass Vs. Tall Fescue

Third instar growth and survival, and the effect of larval density of the Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman and the southern masked chafer, Cyclocephala lurida (Olivier) were evaluated on Tifway bermudagrass, Cynodon dactyl on (L.) and KY-31 tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb. in a threeyear field study. Winter survival was sometimes enhanced in bermudagrass plots. Larval weight gain, however, was more often favored by feeding on fescue. Percent survival after 8-9 months was greatest when initial infestation levels were 3 per 0.02 m2 microplot or fewer. Average survival ranged from 10.8 to 76%, depending upon turfgrass species, white grub species, and year of study. Little reduction in whole plant dry weight or in periodic top growth measurements was observed in these irrigated plots.