Billbug

Natural Habitat

Turfgrass, lawns, cornfields, and various grassy areas.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on plant stems; larvae (grubs) burrow into and consume the roots and crowns of grasses.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are slow-moving and often found crawling on sidewalks or driveways near grass; they undergo complete metamorphosis and are most active in late spring and summer.

Risks & Benefits

Harmless to humans and pets, but considered a significant pest of lawns and agricultural crops (like corn and wheat) as their feeding can cause large brown patches of dead grass.

Identified on: 5/16/2026