White Grub

What it looks like

You'll see individual plants wilting, stunted, or collapsing rather than a whole area of dead turf. If you dig around the roots, you'll find them sparse and chewed, with grubs feeding among them. This plant-by-plant pattern is the key difference from the area-wide damage grubs cause in lawns.

Often mistaken for: Root rot or transplant stress (both can cause similar wilting without an obvious pest)

When it shows up in the Triangle

Adults lay eggs in summer, and the small grubs that hatch keep feeding on roots into fall.

Where you’ll see it

Container and landscape ornamental plants, not turf.

What you can do

• Check the root ball of any new nursery stock before planting — this is a common way grubs get introduced
• Avoid overwatering beds and containers, since damp soil favors egg-laying
• Inspect struggling plants by digging gently around the roots to check for grubs
• Remove and dispose of severely infested plants to limit spread