The most prominent and destructive insect pest on turf is the white grub. It is the larva of June Bugs, Southern Masked Chafers, Black turfgrass Ataenius, or the Japanese beetle. Most common in Kansas are the June bugs and the Southern Chafel. Adults of the Masked Chafer are active in May and leave their eggs in the turf. Upon emergence, the grabs begin feeding upon roots, usually in early August thru September. They overwinter under the frost line and resume feeding in April. Damage is usually seen in August and September unless the population is extremely huge and some damage may occur in April prior to their pupating in March. June bugs take three years to complete their life cycle. The larvas survive three years overwintering below the frost line.
Damage can be severe. The lawn turns brown and dies. The turf will roll up like a carpet, exposing roots, revealing hundreds c-shaped grubs. Infested lawn often attracts moles, skunks and voles because of an easy food supply.

Other Turf insects that damage turf include: sod web worm, chinch bugs, cutworms, turn Ataenius, and to a lesser degree ants. Of these the most common in the Kansas City is the sod webworm. The adult moth is whitish grey about a half inch long. They fly close to the ground especially when you walk through it or mow. The larvae do the damage. They feed on grass blades and expose the crown which kills the grass. Dead spots about the size of a football field are the usual indications of infestation. Control should be considered when 3-4 webworms are found per square foot.

Clover Mites do not damage lawns, however they breed in lawns and mulch areas. They do not bite or carry diseases, but simply invade a structure in unbeleavable numbers. When crushed, they leave a small reddish stain on walls & floors. Clover mites are considered a lawn insect and need to be treated from the outside with a pre-emergence.

There are at least two generations per season with emergence in early Spring and late Fall. In the advent of mild winters, Kansas City seems to either have a third generation or an early invasion of the Spring generation. Clover mites are parthenogenetic: there are no males. Females are asexual. If you have had Clover Mites in the past, preventative treatments should be applied per season to avoid the necessity of inside applications one in the spring, and one in the fall.