Stay healthy and pray that this pandemic ends soon. Chafers complete their life cycle in one year which can lead to rapid population increases. I have seen the damage it makes. The chafer’s life cycle is one year. The chafer’s life cycle is one year. The European Chafer beetle is an introduced insect to British Columbia that has become a serious lawn pest in the Lower Mainland. Click on the pdf to download the infographic. Intense feeding occurs from March through May. The larvae (grubs) measure approximately 2 to 2.5 cm in length, are white and C-shaped with tan colored heads and six prominent legs. The chafer beetle life cycle is such that several generations can live in one patch of soil at the same time. By digging up several test sections in both affected and unaffected areas, you can monitor for grubs while they are near the surface. The soil must be moist at time of application, and it is best to water after the application to move the product into the root zoned. Removal of soil from a site infested with chafer grubs is not recommended, as this will spread the pest to new locations, and won’t help to manage the pest in future years. This will help you know what to do to defend your lawn against the beetle. The Chafer Life Cycle In the spring, from April to late June, the adult beetles emerge from the ground and gather near the tops of deciduous trees to mate. Not only do the larvae feed on roots, wreaking havoc on lawns, but they attract local fauna like crows, foxes and raccoons, who dig up the grass in search of the grubs. Female chafer beetles lay between 20–40 eggs over their lifespan; the eggs are laid about 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) deep in moist soil, and then take 2 weeks to hatch. This usually happens in the spring as the soil is warming. By June, the new beetles begin emerging from the ground. Their life cycle is only one year long, which means that their population rapidly increases. Then, in early June, the grubs move deeper again, from 5 centimetres to 25 centimetres (2.0–9.8 in), where they form earthen cells and pupate. Nematodes are tricky to use, however. The beetle’s most susceptible time is when it is the egg form in late July. They can also cause problems in newly cultivated soil and in neglected lawns. People describe lawns that crows have ripped to shreds while looking for beetle larvae. All Rights Reserved. It’s also important to note that treatment should not be a one time thing. Soon after, the females descend and deposit as many as fifty eggs each in the soil. The chafer’s life cycle is one year. The mature grubs thrive in moist conditions and feed throughout the fall. In high traffic areas consider grass replacements such as mulch or paving stones, or use non-grass (alternative) ground covers. They are all applied in a similar fashion: as a dilute, high volumes spray to turfed areas, when larvae are small and most susceptible. Even if the chemicals are “naturally” derived, they can kill worms and beneficial insects. In frost zones, the grubs feed until November and then move deeper into the soil. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for your comment. We have recently gotten several comments in response to last year’s blog post about chafer beetles. P: 425.486.2180 We will be home in May, hopefully, and will discuss treatment with you at that time. We do recommend beneficial nematodes and can apply them for you.