Integrated Pest Management
Black Turfgrass Ataenius
Ataenius spp.
Black turfgrass ataenius (Tom Murray, Bugguide.net)
Black turfgrass ataenius size comparison (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)
Black turfgrass ataenius larvae in soil (Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)
Pest Description
- adults: small (3/16 inch long), black, shiny beetles
- larvae: tiny, c-shaped grubs; cream colored with a grayish rear end and
- brown head capsule; six thoracic legs
- larvae are tiny compared to other white grub species, about 1/4 inch long when mature
Host Plants, Diet & Damage
- larvae feed on roots of turfgrasses including Kentucky bluegrass, annual bluegrass and bentgrass
- larval feeding leads to wilting and localized dry spots
- extensive damage is similar in appearance to larger white grub feeding
Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage
- adults overwinter in the soil and under leaf/wood debris
- adults are active early spring and deposit eggs into thatch and soil in early-summer
- larvae actively feed early to mid-summer
- second generation adults emerge mid- to late-summer
- up to two generations per year
- larvae are the damaging stage
IPM Recommendations
- Maintain healthy plants with proper cultural practices.
- Monitor by sampling soil to search for larval stages.
- Apply a biopesticide that contains entomopathogenic nematodes or Beauveria fungal spores.
- Apply a preventive insecticide (anthranilic diamide; neonicotinoid).