White grubs showing up in some eastern Kansas brome fields
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – White grubs are attacking some eastern Kansas brome fields.
K-State Research and Extension Entomologist Anthony Zukoff said the white grubs, which curl into a distinct C-shape when disturbed, inflict variable harm.
“There are some fields that maybe 10% of the field is dead, but in extreme cases, there’s 75- 80% of the field killed by below-ground white grub activity,” he said.
Zuckoff says producers can fight against white grubs by replanting infected areas with brome later in the year.
“If you establish (brome) in the fall, once it gets to spring, the root system will be bigger and will be able to deal with that spring feeding damage,” he said.
Additionally, Zukoff proposes producers use an insecticide called Sevin (carbaryl) to combat white grubs.
When white grub infestations in brome fields become extreme, Zukoff said replanting to a different crop remains another viable solution.
“Make sure brome is dead for 2-4 weeks because what you’re doing is basically starving out those larvae. When you do replant to soybean, for example, make sure you use an insecticidal seed treatment.”
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