Community identification
White Grub (Scarab Beetle Larva)
Scarabaeidae (Family)
- Order & Family
- Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae
- Size
- Typically 0.5 to 2 inches long, depending on species and instar
Natural Habitat
Soil, lawns, gardens, decaying organic matter
Diet & Feeding
Roots of grasses and other plants, decaying organic matter
Behavior Patterns
C-shaped when disturbed, lives underground, overwinters deep in soil, emerges as an adult beetle
Risks & Benefits
Can be a major lawn and agricultural pest by damaging plant roots; provides food for birds, skunks, and other wildlife; some species aid in decomposition.