# St. Augustine Grass and Grub Worms
St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum) is a warm-season, native grass of Western Africa, West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico. Also referred to as carpetgrass, St. Augustine grass spreads with stolons and is coarse textured. White grubs are serious pests in St. Augustine, as cited by the Texas A&M University Extension.
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Description
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White grubs are the larval stage of scarab beetles. The white worms have brown heads and distinct C-shaped bodies. The adults are 3/4-inch-long, reddish-brown to brown beetles. White grubs are more common in light, sandy soil than heavy clay.
Damage
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The pests feed on grass roots. Affected grass starts to thin and yellow and eventually dies. Initial symptoms include spongy and soft, scattered patches of dead grass that gradually grow larger. Infested grass is unable to utilize water and nutrients and is severely prone to drought damage. Grass is also easy to pull up as the roots die.
Control
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Introduce natural predators in lawns. These include ground beetles, scoliids and parasitic wasp larvae. Chemical control options include the use of insecticides like imidacloprid, halofenozide or clothianidin. Remove all affected grass areas or thatch prior to starting treatment.
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- St. Augustine Grass & White Aphids
- Pesticides to Kill Grub Worms
- Kinds of St. Augustine Grass
- St. Augustine Grass Sod and Webworms
- Bahia vs. St. Augustine Grass
- I Planted Grass and Now There Is White Mold
- St. Augustine Grass Characteristics
- Centipede Vs. St Augustine Grass
- Bugs in St. Augustine Grass
- Advantages and Disadvantages of St. Augustine Grass
- Yellow Patches in My St. Augustine Grass
- The Effects of Grub Worms on Grass
