Which turf pest is most commonly targeted with soil-applied systemic insecticides?

• A. White grubs (scarab beetle larvae)
• B. Armyworms
• C. Chinch bugs
• D. Billbugs

Answer: (A)

Soil-applied systemic insecticides move from the roots into the plant, delivering protection where the pest feeds. White grubs spend their life in the soil, feeding on turfgrass roots, so when a systemic is applied to the soil the grub ingests the insecticide as it chews on the roots. This makes soil-applied systemic products particularly effective for grub control and the reason they’re the most common choice for this pest.

Armyworms and chinch bugs feed on above-ground plant parts, like leaves and stems, so a soil-applied systemic isn’t as well targeted for them and they’re usually managed with foliar or other above-ground treatments. Billbugs also target roots, but the standard, widely used soil-applied systemic approach is most closely associated with white grubs.