Black Turfgrass Ataenius

Natural Habitat

Golf courses, home lawns, and parks with high organic matter; often found in the soil and thatch layer.

Diet & Feeding

Adults and larvae feed on decomposing organic matter, debris, and the roots of various grasses.

Behavior Patterns

They are primarily nocturnal and are often attracted to lights. They overwinter as adults in wooded areas and move back to turf in the spring to lay eggs.

Risks & Benefits

Can be a significant turf pest, especially on golf course greens and fairways. They serve as decomposers in the soil ecosystem but can damage high-value turfgrass.

Identified on: 5/30/2026