B
Black Turfgrass Ataenius (Ataenius spretulus)
Black turfgrass ataenius is a small scarab beetle whose larvae feed on the roots of turfgrass, causing irregular patches of wilting and browning that resemble drought stress. It is a significant pest of golf courses and fine turf, with two generations per year in most regions. Damage is most apparent in late spring and midsummer when larval feeding is at its peak. Preventive insecticide applications timed to egg hatch provide the best protection for high-quality turf.