Overview 

Clover rootworms 

Clover rootworms are found throughout the U.S. and southern Canada. The adult is light brown, oval, and 1/5" long. It lays its eggs at the base of a variety of host plants, including apples, beans, corn, grapes, melons, potatoes, and strawberries. The whitish, plump larvae then burrow into the roots and chew the smaller ones. Adult beetles can cause minor damage to hosts by chewing long, curved or zigzag marks in leaves. Cultivating your garden in the fall can help destroy the larvae of clover rootworms 

Northern Corn rootworms 

Northern corn rootworms are found primarily in the north central United States, where crops of its favored hosts (corn and grain) are abundant. The adult is bright green to yellowish green, sometimes with a brown head. It is 1/3" long and fast moving. It lays its yellow eggs on the ground near corn roots. The larvae are thin, wrinkled white worms with brown heads that can grow up to 1/2" long. They burrow into the roots of their hosts, doing considerable damage. Fortunately, the grubs can be effectively controlled with regular crop rotation. 

Updated 8/2024