Lawn Pests: Hunting Billbugs

Hunting billbugs are active in North Carolina and have begun feeding and laying eggs. Egg laying typically occurs from May – September and larvae hatch in 3-10 days. We would expect billbug larvae to be present in mid-June through July. In North Carolina billbugs typically feed on bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and seashore paspalum. Damage caused by feeding of adult hunting billbugs becomes most apparent in late spring and again in late summer. Damage caused by hunting billbugs occurs on the surface as irregular, elongated, or rounded areas of brown and dying grass. Symptoms usually occur in early spring and summer.

Preventative applications for hunting billbug adults and larvae should be made now to reduce population numbers this fall. Billbugs are active at night so applications should be made late in the day. The use of synthetic insecticides for adult control includes bifenthrin (Talstar, Menace etc), deltamethrin (Deltagard), lambda-cyhalothrin (Scimitar or Battle), or imidacloprid (Merit). The use of synthetic insecticides for larval control includes clothianidin (Arena) or thiamethoxam (Meridian). The use of synthetic insecticides for both adults and larval control include chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn), clothianidin + bifenthrin (Aloft), or imidacloprid + bifenthrin (Allectus, Atera). Check the label for rates and application methods. To target the larval generations be sure to water the insecticide in after application to insure insecticide movement through the thatch.

For more information: Hunting Billbugs

Source: Insect Alert: Hunting Billbugs