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Learn more about Brown chafer
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Recognize Brown chafer
- Adults: Small brown beetles (8–12 mm) with oval bodies. They are most active during summer evenings and are attracted to lights.
- Eggs: Laid in the soil in clusters during summer.
- Larvae (grubs): White, C-shaped grubs with brown heads and three pairs of legs. Fully grown larvae measure up to 20 mm and are the most destructive life stage.
- Pupae: Found in the soil, where larvae transform into adults.
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Life cycle
- Adults emerge in summer, mate, and lay eggs in the soil.
- Larvae hatch and feed on roots through summer and autumn, overwintering in deeper soil layers.
- Pupation occurs in spring, with adults emerging in early summer to repeat the cycle.
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Brown chafer damage
Larvae feed on plant roots, causing reduced nutrient and water uptake. Infested turf shows yellow patches that can be easily lifted due to destroyed root systems. In crops and ornamentals, plants may wilt, show stunted growth, or die back under heavy infestations. Secondary damage often occurs when birds or mammals dig up soil to feed on grubs.
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Prevention
- Monitor soil regularly for larvae during summer and autumn.
- Maintain healthy soils and turf to reduce stress from feeding damage.
- Apply biological control agents at the correct larval stage for maximum effectiveness.
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Control Brown chafer
The most effective and sustainable way to control brown chafer larvae is by applying beneficial nematodes. These microscopic organisms occur naturally in the soil and are highly specialized predators of beetle larvae. Once applied, they actively search for larvae, penetrate them, and release symbiotic bacteria that kill the host. After reproduction inside the larvae, new nematodes are released into the soil to continue the cycle, providing ongoing protection.
Koppert offers nematode products proven effective against brown chafer grubs:
- Capyphor (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora): Targets larvae in the root zone, highly effective in reducing grub populations.
- Larvanem (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora): Reliable biological control of chafer larvae in crops, turf, and ornamentals.
For best results:
- Apply when larvae are young and actively feeding (late summer to early autumn, or in spring before pupation).
- Keep soil moist before, during, and after application to ensure nematode movement and effectiveness.
- Apply in the evening or under cloudy conditions to protect nematodes from UV exposure.
With correct timing and soil conditions, Capyphor and Larvanem provide a safe, natural, and effective solution to control brown chafer larvae and protect plant health.
