Influence of ground covers on white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) populations and their feeding damage to roots of Fraser fir Christmas trees in the southern Appalachians

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of six ground covers on white grub (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) densities and feeding damage to roots of young Fraser fir (Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir.) Christmas trees in the southern Appalachians. The three dominant grub species were Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte) Glasgow, Phyllophaga fusca (Froelich) Glasgow, and Polyphylla comes Casey. Mowed grass plots supported the densest grub populations when compared with clover and dead sod plots and contained fir trees with the most severe feeding damage to roots, poorest health, and lowest wood volumes.