DESCRIPTION
The adult beetle (Figure 1) is tan coloured and resembles a smallish June beetle. The larvae or grubs (Figure 2,3) have a C-shaped body and brown head. Mature Chafer grubs are smaller than mature June grubs. A microscope in required to confidently identify the grubs.

BIOLOGY
The European Chafer completes a life cycle in one year. Eggs hatch around mid July and the grubs moult twice over 8 weeks. The mature grubs are well adapted to cool moist conditions and feed all fall. During the winter they dig down during periods of freezing conditions but otherwise remain within 5 cm of the surface. They feed in the spring unti April when they become pupae. Adults emerge in late May, fly to nearby deciduous trees to mate and feed and subsequently females deposit up to 50 eggs each.

DAMAGE
The grubs are the damaging stage. They feed on all types of grass and if numerous and food is scarce, may move into vegetable planting to feed on corn, potatoes and other crops. European Cafer grubs prefer to feed on fibrous roots, and can damage ornamental and nursery plants by reducing there fibrous root system. Most of the damage is done by the third (final) instar grubs in the fall and early spring, but damage can be masked by abundant moisture at these times. Drier weather can quickly result in the appearance of brown, drying patches. Considerable damage to turf can occur in the fall and winter from animals, especially skunks and birds digging up the grass to feed on larger grubs
(Figure 4).

MONITORING
To check for grubs, cut 3 sides of a 30 by 30 cm piece of sod to a depth of 5 cm and fold it back to count the grubs. Generally if more than 20 grubs are found, control is warranted.