Common
name: Black
Beetle 
Scientific
Name: Heteronychus
arator
Adult:
1
– 3 cm long, 7mm wide, jet glossy black, mandibulate mouthparts.
Capable of flying with wings.
Pupa:
Brownish
coloured 1 – 2.5cm.
| Larvae: white curl grub with a brown head 1- 2.5cm.
|
 |
Eggs:
are
oval shapes, 1 – 2 mm long creamy white.
Metamorphosis:
Complete
metamorphosis
Adult:
Cause
little damage and seen January, February (Summer).
Larvae:
cause
major damage by feeding on roots and stems. Seen in late winter and
spring.
Eggs:
laid
in the soil in spring and early summer by adults.
Hosts:
Mainly
bents and couches
Symptoms:
irregular
dead areas of turf eaten below ground.
Prevention:
Aimed
at larvae. First chemical application in late winter, Second application in summer.
Chemical
control: Aimed
at adults when seen in summer. There has been some success with the use
of small amounts of eucalyptus oil diluted in water and applied to the
infected area.
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