Hunting Billbugs Active in Spring

On warm season turfgrasses primarily couchgrass (Cynodon spp.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) billbugs can cause serious damage. There are a several different billbug species that can cause damage but the predominant species is the hunting billbug (Sphenophorus venatus). Hunting billbug adults are active early spring through late autumn with the greatest activity spring through mid-summer.

Adult females may lay eggs from spring through autumn. The adult Hunting billbug is rather compared to other billbug species approximately 13 to 16 mm in length. Although adults normally appear black, they may vary from a red-brown to black colour.

Billbug larval feeding is most active during the summer months. However, damage is normally not detected at this time because of the rapid growth of couchgrass. Damage is most evident in autumn and early spring. Diagnosis is often difficult. Look for small patches of that appear dead. Look closely at the stems and leaves since they will be straw colored. You may then tug on these plants to see if they are easily removed, which is a sign of billbug damage.