May / June beetle grubs in Massachusetts identification, lawn damage & prevention.
May / June beetle grubs are a white grub pest that can damage lawns by feeding on grass roots below the soil surface. While they are not always as widespread as some other grub species, they can be highly destructive where they occur. This guide explains how to identify May / June beetle grubs, what lawn damage they can cause, and when homeowners may want to consider professional grub control.
What are May / June beetle grubs?
May / June beetle grubs are the larval stage of May beetles and June beetles. Like other white grubs, they live below the soil surface and feed on turf roots. As the roots are eaten away, the lawn can become weaker, less stable, and more vulnerable to drought stress and animal digging. In Massachusetts, May / June beetle grubs are less commonly encountered than some other grub species, but they can still be very damaging where they occur.
May / June beetle grubs are the immature stage of adult May and June beetles.
They feed on grass roots below the soil surface and weaken turf from underneath.
They may be less common in some lawns, but they can be devastating where populations are present.
How to identify May / June beetle grubs
May / June beetle grubs are large white grubs with a pale, C-shaped body, brown head, and visible legs. Homeowners usually find them beneath weakened or damaged turf when checking the root zone. Like other white grubs, exact species identification can require looking closely at the raster pattern on the underside of the grub.
Like other white grubs, May / June beetle larvae curl into a C-shape when disturbed.
The head is darker than the rest of the pale body and is easy to spot when exposed.
They are usually found beneath stressed grass in the root zone rather than on the lawn surface.
What damage do May / June beetle grubs cause?
May / June beetle grubs damage lawns by feeding on turf roots. As the roots are lost, grass may thin out, turn yellow or brown, and become easier to pull back from the soil. In damaged areas, animals such as skunks and raccoons may dig for grubs, making the lawn look even worse.
Affected areas may brown out or thin when roots are damaged below the surface.
Grass may pull back more easily because the roots are no longer anchoring the turf well.
Skunks and raccoons may tear into the lawn when they find grubs near the surface.
Root damage can make the lawn look dry or heat-stressed, even when watering seems adequate.
Damage often shows up in uneven sections instead of across the whole lawn at once.
Visible lawn decline often appears after feeding has already been happening underground for a while.
When are May / June beetle grubs active?
May / June beetle grubs follow a seasonal pattern, with adult beetles, egg laying, larval feeding, and overwintering all happening at different times. Like other grubs, the timing of their activity matters when deciding whether prevention or treatment may help protect the lawn.
Other lawn grubs in Massachusetts
May / June beetle grubs are one of several white grub species that can affect Massachusetts lawns. Explore related grub pages below.
Related grub resources
Explore these pages to learn more about lawn damage, treatment timing, and DIY vs professional options.
Need help with May / June beetle grubs?
If your lawn has brown patches, loose turf, or animal digging, May / June beetle grubs may be part of the problem. Truly Lawn can help evaluate the lawn and provide seasonal treatment options.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about May / June beetle grubs in Massachusetts lawns.
May / June beetle grubs are pale, C-shaped white grubs with a brown head and visible legs, usually found below turf.
Yes. They feed on turf roots and can lead to brown patches, weak grass, loose turf, and lawn decline.
Animals may dig into lawns when they find grubs near the surface and treat them as a food source.
Yes. Root damage from grubs often makes the lawn look dry, weak, or heat-stressed before the real cause is confirmed.