Billbug

Billbug (Spenophorus brunnipennis) when immature is a legless, creamy-white ‘C’ shaped larvae with an orange head capsule, with a body up to 10mm long. When mature the larvae metamorphoses dark brown to black weevil, with a distinctive ‘bill’ like snout, and elbowed antennae. Young adults often have dark brown striping on the wing casings, bodies up to 10mm long. Adult billbugs deposit their eggs within the plant stem, where the larvae develop and feed on the plant. It is at this stage of development that the most severe damage is inflicted to turf grass. As the larvae continue to develop, they exit the plant and begin to feed on the stem and roots.