Root feeding grubs are sometimes known as white curl grub, scarab beetle larvae, lawn beetle larvae or cockchafer. These are the common names for the juvenile stage of lawn beetle that feed on the lawn roots. White curl grub, however, is sometimes incorrectly referred to as ‘witchetty grub’.

Adult lawn grubs feed on the roots of your lawn and can be a serious problem. Cool season varieties like fescue and warm season varieties like kikuyu and couch can experience major damage from a nasty infestation, but they are not usually an issue for the buffalo varieties. Stressed, undernourished lawns are also particularly prone to damage.

SOLUTION:
An application of suitable Lawn Grub Killer in either granular or liquid form will assist in eradicating these grubs from your garden

This is a moth that lays eggs that morph into grubs and they love the fresh green blades of grass.

These caterpillars {Army Worm} graze on dusk so applications of suitable Army Worm liquid pesticides are best applied later in the afternoon.

First signs of impending Army Worm marches is this moth

Secondly the presence of these caterpillars.

Often you don’t see the caterpillars as they feed at night, however you may notice white/grey moths flying over your lawn or nearby garden which is often an indication of potential lawn grub problem. Lawn grubs are a seasonal issue and, unfortunately, they can affect your lawn several times during each summer and autumn season. If you have treated a minor infestation and your lawn is still in good condition, the moths are likely to come back, requiring a repeat treatment. You can follow up the control treatment with fertilising to fast track recovery, but be sure to fertilise in autumn to set you lawn up for winter and spring.

SOLUTION:
An application of a suitable granular or liquid insecticide containing any of the following actives – Bifenthrin or Chlorpyrifos or Imidacloprid, will assist in eradicating these grubs from your soil. Check labels of suitable lawn grub/beetle killers on shelves.

CUTWORM

Argotis munda
Similar to armyworms, cutworms feed and cut off the grass near the soil, hence the name, causing serious damage.

SOD WEBWORM

Herpetogramma licapsisalis
These greenish grey larvae/caterpillars have black spots along the body and are about 3cm long The damage they cause is similar to armyworm and cutworm and they are often found operating at the same time.