What's been turning my lawn brown? - Macro inside

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

06/25/2006 10:57:08 AM · #1

Lawn has been turning brown. I took advice of local "nursery" and dug up a little. They said to look for chinch bugs and "grubs". Well I found the grubs. They feast on the roots of the grass. They are actually "beetle larve". Before I resorted to chemical warfare, I decided to take a few shots with my D70.

AzCKelly

Nikon D70s

06/25/2006 11:06:56 AM · #2

Great pics, made my skin crawl!

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

06/25/2006 11:47:34 AM · #3

Grubs can be found in most lawns that haven't been saturated with pesticide. Usually they aren't in large enough quantities to do major damage.

There's a better chance that it's chinch bugs or fungus. If you want to post a photo and some information; I might be able to tell you what to look for. (I used to do this for a living.)

BTW that's an awesome grub photo. One of the best I've seen. If you can get such a great shot of a chinch bug; I'll be really impressed;)

Kronus

Nikon D7000

06/25/2006 11:54:30 AM · #4

It,s a Japanize beatle, commonaly known as a june bug larvee,
the chemical used to kill this is sevin found in products like grub out. you need to apply on a lawn that is saturated with water, apply then water in well as the grubs live about 6 inches below the surface. late June early July is the best time to apply. You will have to do this at least two years in a row to aliviate the problem for good

good luck

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

06/25/2006 12:03:57 PM · #5

There are other reasons for browning - drought, chemical imbalance (too much of this or that fertilizer), too little water and too much feeding. Bugs are not the most likely candidates and adding pesticide will only further erode any imbalance present. Naturally, garden centers like to sell you solutions whether or not you have the problem. 2C.

06/25/2006 12:06:44 PM · #6

I dug out 6-8" in several different areas of the lawn...dead area, live area and combo area....these grubs were the only thing down there...except a few ants and a spider or two.

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

06/25/2006 12:11:25 PM · #7

Originally posted by pineapple:

Very true. I've seen people lose their lawns based on the advice of garden centers.

Liquid pesticide is the best way to go. It has to be applied correctly to break the life cycle. That's why proper diagnosis is so important. If you have chinch bugs, you must apply twice, two weeks apart. They are resisitant to many chemicals, too. If you do kill them, they can return as soon as the pesticide is gone.

Most damaged lawns have more than one culprit. Therefore, you could treat for insects and still suffer damage from fungus.

Message edited by author 2006-06-25 12:29:12.

Kronus

Nikon D7000

06/25/2006 12:12:30 PM · #8

Originally posted by pineapple:

natural would be nematodes, they work well under specific conditions . So I always say NUKE em With sevin

Bugzeye

Fisher Price Kid-Tough Digital

06/25/2006 12:13:26 PM · #9

Got the same problem with our lawn. But mostly do to our two dogs over fertalizing the grass. Haven't seen many June Bug's this year was hoping I could do some macro shots but the chance has yet to surface.

06/25/2006 12:14:17 PM · #10

Originally posted by kenskid:

I dug out 6-8" in several different areas of the lawn...dead area, live area and combo area....these grubs were the only thing down there...except a few ants and a spider or two.

You won't find chinch bugs by digging down. They live at the base of the grass blades, in very specific areas. Most people cannot find them. That's why I asked about a photo.

If grubs are killing your lawn, you'll be able to pull up the dead spots because the roots are severed. Anyone who has June bugs around their porch light, probably has grubs in their lawn.

06/25/2006 12:23:00 PM · #11

Originally posted by Bugzeye:

If the June Bugs in your area have survived assault by pesticide; you can collect them with an ultraviolet light (not the dark purple kind), and a white sheet.

Anyone interested in insect macros will have a blast doing this. Amazing insects will show up that you'd never see otherwise.

To find insects living in the soil, you can do a soil wash. Mix a few tablespoons of dish soap with a bucket of water and dump onto the ground; or sprinkle laundry soap on the ground and spray in with a hose. Everything down there will come out, including worms. I don't do this because I feel sorry for the worms:(

Message edited by author 2006-06-25 13:02:01.

06/25/2006 12:29:08 PM · #12

I have June bugs at night!

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Originally posted by kenskid:
I dug out 6-8" in several different areas of the lawn...dead area, live area and combo area....these grubs were the only thing down there...except a few ants and a spider or two.

You won't find chinch bugs by digging down. They live at the base of the grass blades, in very specific areas. Most people cannot find them. That's why I asked about a photo.

If grubs are killing your lawn, you'll be able to pull up the dead spots because the roots are severed. Anyone who has June bugs around their porch light, probably has grubs in their lawn.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/25/2006 12:30:21 PM · #13

How does the "light and sheet" thing work?

I want more bugs at night!

Originally posted by greatandsmall:

Originally posted by Bugzeye:
Got the same problem with our lawn. But mostly do to our two dogs over fertalizing the grass. Haven't seen many June Bug's this year was hoping I could do some macro shots but the chance has yet to surface.

If the June Bugs in you area have survived assault by pesticide; you can collect them with an ultraviolet light (not the dark purple kind), and a white sheet.

Anyone interested in insect macros will have a blast doing this. Amazing insects will show up that you'd never see otherwise.

To find insects living in the soil, you can do a soil wash. Mix a few tablespoons of dish soap with a bucket of water and dump onto the ground; or sprinkle laundry soap on the ground and spray in with a hose. Everything down there will come out, including worms. I don't do this because I feel sorry for the worms:(

deapee

Kodak V803

06/25/2006 12:30:44 PM · #14

yep those are grubs...they make this stuff you can sprinkle on the lawn to get rid of them.