Author(s) R. Chris Williamson

A serious insect pest of turfgrass, the northern masked chafer is a beetle species that has been reported in two southern Wisconsin counties (Rock and Walworth). Northern masked chafer grubs voraciously feed on turfgrass roots and cause thinning, wilting, and irregular patches of turf that can easily be pulled back or rolled up from the soil. Scavenging animals cause additional turf damage as they dig to feed on grubs. This fact sheet details the life cycle of the northern masked chafer and offers insecticide recommendations for grub control.