{"id":24324,"date":"2025-12-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/?p=24324"},"modified":"2026-10-12T22:52:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T22:52:27","slug":"leatherjackets-in-turf-crane-fly-damage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/leatherjackets-in-turf-crane-fly-damage\/","title":{"rendered":"Leatherjackets in Turf: 5 Steps to Avoid Damage"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>@import url(\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Poppins:wght@500;600;700&family=Roboto:wght@400;500;700&display=swap\");\n.tgb{font:17px\/1.65 Roboto,sans-serif;color:#333}.tgb h2{font:700 25px\/1.2 Poppins,sans-serif;color:#00505F;margin:1.9em 0 .6em;padding-bottom:.35em;border-bottom:1px solid #BCD9DC}.tgb a{color:#00505F;text-underline-offset:3px}\n.tgb .info{width:100%;height:auto;margin:1.6em 0;display:block}.tgb .svg-bg{fill:#F2FAFA}.tgb .svg-dark{fill:#00505F}.tgb .svg-card{fill:rgba(255,255,255,.1)}.tgb .svg-t{font:700 20px Poppins,sans-serif;fill:#00505F}.tgb .svg-tw{font:700 20px Poppins,sans-serif;fill:#fff}\n.tgb .svg-line{stroke:#BCD9DC;stroke-width:2}.tgb .svg-line2{stroke:#00F4F4;stroke-width:2}.tgb .svg-hex{fill:#008092}.tgb .svg-hex2{fill:#00F4F4}.tgb .svg-n{font:700 16px Poppins,sans-serif;fill:#fff}.tgb .svg-n2{font:700 16px Poppins,sans-serif;fill:#0B2E35}.tgb .svg-i{font:400 16px Roboto,sans-serif;fill:#333}.tgb .svg-c{font:400 15px Roboto,sans-serif;fill:#fff}\n.tgb figure{margin:1.6em 0}.tgb .scene{width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:16\/9;display:block;border-radius:10px}.tgb figcaption{font-size:13px;color:#55666B;margin-top:6px}\n.tgb .faq{border:1px solid #BCD9DC;border-radius:10px;margin:.6em 0;padding:.2em 1em;background:#fff}.tgb .faq summary{cursor:pointer;font:600 16px Poppins,sans-serif;padding:.6em 0;color:#00505F}\n.tgb .cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#008092,#00505F);color:#fff;border-radius:10px;padding:28px 30px;margin:2.2em 0}.tgb .cta h3{color:#fff;margin-top:0;font:600 22px Poppins,sans-serif}.tgb .cta p{margin:.4em 0;color:#fff}.tgb .btn{display:inline-block;margin-top:14px;background:#00F4F4;color:#0B2E35!important;text-decoration:none;font:700 15px Roboto,sans-serif;padding:12px 28px;border-radius:99px}\n.tgb .rel{padding-left:1.1em}.tgb .rel span{display:block;font-size:14px;color:#55666B}.tgb .src{font-size:15px;color:#55666B}\n.tgb .ph{margin:1.8em 0}.tgb .ph img{width:100%;height:auto;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;display:block;border-radius:10px}\n.tg-float{position:fixed;left:0;top:50%;z-index:9999;transform:translateY(-50%);writing-mode:vertical-rl;transform-origin:center;rotate:180deg;background:#00F4F4;color:#0B2E35!important;font:700 14px Poppins,sans-serif;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none!important;padding:20px 11px;border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;box-shadow:0 6px 20px rgba(0,80,95,.35);transition:padding .2s,background .2s}\n.tg-float:hover{background:#3EF9DA;padding-left:16px}\n@media(max-width:767px){.tg-float{writing-mode:horizontal-tb;rotate:0deg;left:50%;top:auto;bottom:14px;transform:translateX(-50%);border-radius:99px;padding:13px 26px;letter-spacing:.06em;font-size:13px;white-space:nowrap}.tg-float:hover{padding:13px 26px}}<\/style><div class=\"tgb\"><a class=\"tg-float\" href=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/#demo\">Request a demo<\/a><p>When turf loses density for no clear reason, birds appear pecking at the rough or yellowish patches fail to respond to irrigation, it is worth thinking about <strong>leatherjackets in turf<\/strong>, the larvae of crane flies (Tipula). They live in the soil, feed on roots and plant bases and can cause serious damage if not detected in time.<\/p><p>In this article we review five steps to avoid damage: understanding their life cycle, monitoring methodically, reducing the conditions that favour them, intervening with judgement and recording what happened. Any treatment must follow the label, current regulations and the advice of a licensed technician.<\/p><svg class=\"info\" viewBox=\"0 0 720 474\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"In this article\"><rect width=\"720\" height=\"474\" rx=\"6\" class=\"svg-bg\"\/><text x=\"28\" y=\"42\" class=\"svg-t\">In this article<\/text><line x1=\"28\" y1=\"54\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"54\" class=\"svg-line\"\/><path d=\"M73.1,89.0 L73.1,111.0 L54.0,122.0 L34.9,111.0 L34.9,89.0 L54.0,78.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"106\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">1<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"97\" class=\"svg-i\">Step 1: know the life cycle of leatherjackets in turf<\/text><path d=\"M73.1,153.0 L73.1,175.0 L54.0,186.0 L34.9,175.0 L34.9,153.0 L54.0,142.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"170\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">2<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"161\" class=\"svg-i\">Step 2: learn to recognise the symptoms of leatherjackets in<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"181\" class=\"svg-i\">turf<\/text><path d=\"M73.1,217.0 L73.1,239.0 L54.0,250.0 L34.9,239.0 L34.9,217.0 L54.0,206.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"234\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">3<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"225\" class=\"svg-i\">Step 3: monitor methodically before deciding<\/text><path d=\"M73.1,281.0 L73.1,303.0 L54.0,314.0 L34.9,303.0 L34.9,281.0 L54.0,270.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"298\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">4<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"289\" class=\"svg-i\">Step 4: reduce the conditions that favour them<\/text><path d=\"M73.1,345.0 L73.1,367.0 L54.0,378.0 L34.9,367.0 L34.9,345.0 L54.0,334.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"362\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">5<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"353\" class=\"svg-i\">Step 5: intervene with judgement, safety and records<\/text><path d=\"M73.1,409.0 L73.1,431.0 L54.0,442.0 L34.9,431.0 L34.9,409.0 L54.0,398.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex\"\/><text x=\"54\" y=\"426\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n\">6<\/text><text x=\"94\" y=\"417\" class=\"svg-i\">Recovering damaged areas and improving prevention<\/text><\/svg><h2>Step 1: know the life cycle of leatherjackets in turf<\/h2><p>To understand leatherjackets in turf you have to look at both stages. The adults are those elongated insects with long, thin legs, the crane flies, that you see flying and landing on lights in late summer or autumn. The females lay their eggs in or near the turf, especially if the soil is moist. From them hatch greyish, legless larvae that feed on roots, crowns and leaf bases.<\/p><p>The larvae are the stage that causes damage and are usually most active in the cool, damp months, when the soil holds moisture. Knowing this cycle helps you know when to monitor more closely, as the calendar varies with the area, altitude and climate of each course.<\/p><h2>Step 2: learn to recognise the symptoms of leatherjackets in turf<\/h2><p>Turf damaged by larvae usually shows irregular yellowish or thinned patches, areas that lift easily because the roots have been severed, and ever-decreasing density. Sometimes the clearest symptom is indirect: birds, crows or badgers tearing at the turf in search of larvae.<\/p><ul><li>Patches that do not respond to irrigation or fertilisation.<\/li><li>Turf that peels away like a loose carpet.<\/li><li>Birds feeding persistently.<\/li><li>Weaker areas in damp places or those with a lot of organic matter.<\/li><\/ul><p>A typical case: after a rainy autumn, the rough on a hole near a lake shows pale patches and flocks of birds working the surface. If it coincides with a damp area with a lot of thatch, suspecting larvae is reasonable and deserves sampling.<\/p><p>Confirm the cause before acting. The symptoms can be confused with drought, root diseases or other soil problems, and a wrong diagnosis wastes time and money.<\/p><figure class=\"ph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ph-113-1.jpg\" alt=\"Yellowish patch in the rough caused by leatherjackets in turf\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>Yellowish patch in the rough caused by leatherjackets in turf<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Step 3: monitor methodically before deciding<\/h2><p>The best tool is a simple, repeated sampling, done by the same person and with the same method so the data are comparable. Lift small portions of turf and soil in the suspect areas and count the larvae per unit area. Mild soapy solutions poured over the turf are also used to bring the larvae to the surface, always with appropriate care so as not to damage the plant.<\/p><p>Choose fixed monitoring points and repeat the sampling at regular intervals. That way you can compare areas and know whether the population is growing, holding steady or declining. Note the date, location, number of larvae and moisture conditions. With that history you will see which parts of the course are most prone to leatherjackets in turf and you can plan monitoring more precisely.<\/p><h2>Step 4: reduce the conditions that favour them<\/h2><p>Leatherjackets in turf thrive on moisture and surface organic matter. Careful cultural management helps make the environment less favourable without having to resort to products straight away.<\/p><ul><li>Adjust irrigation during the egg-laying period, avoiding keeping the surface saturated.<\/li><li>Improve drainage in areas that hold water.<\/li><li>Control thatch with scarifying and aeration according to the course programme.<\/li><li>Keep the turf healthy and well fed, able to tolerate some pressure.<\/li><\/ul><p>These measures do not completely eliminate leatherjackets in turf, but they reduce the risk and increase the turf&#8217;s tolerance. They are especially important in rough areas, lake margins or shaded areas where moisture lingers longer.<\/p><figure class=\"ph\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ph-113-2.jpg\" alt=\"Leatherjacket sampling record on the course work sheet\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>Leatherjacket sampling record on the course work sheet<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Step 5: intervene with judgement, safety and records<\/h2><p>If sampling indicates a population that can cause damage, weigh up the available options with your adviser within integrated pest management. Any plant protection product must be authorised for that use, applied following the label and current regulations and by staff with the required training. Mixes and rates are never improvised.<\/p><p>Besides the technical decision, think about safety and the surroundings: proximity of water, wildlife, players and workers, and weather conditions. After acting, do not forget to evaluate the result, because an intervention without follow-up does not tell you whether leatherjackets in turf have declined or have just moved.<\/p><ol><li>Record the date, area, product or method and application conditions.<\/li><li>Repeat the sampling to check progress.<\/li><li>Assess the turf&#8217;s recovery, with overseeding or fertilisation if appropriate.<\/li><li>Note what you have learned to adjust next year&#8217;s monitoring.<\/li><\/ol><h2>Recovering damaged areas and improving prevention<\/h2><p>Once the population is under control, the affected turf must be recovered. This stage is often underestimated: the larvae&#8217;s damage remains in the soil months later, and a weakened canopy is more vulnerable to weeds, Poa annua and other diseases. Depending on the damage and the season, an adjustment to fertilisation and irrigation may be enough, or overseeding or repair with sod may be needed. Do it when conditions are favourable for the new plants to establish.<\/p><p>Use the episode to reflect on the leatherjackets in turf you have experienced. Which areas were hit hardest? Was there excess moisture or organic matter? Was it detected in time? Each answer helps improve next year&#8217;s plan, and sharing it with the crew means everyone recognises the signs sooner. The combination of monitoring, cultural management and records is the best defence against leatherjackets in turf and avoids surprises when the rains arrive.<\/p><svg class=\"info\" viewBox=\"0 0 720 420\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Key takeaways\"><rect width=\"720\" height=\"420\" rx=\"6\" class=\"svg-dark\"\/><text x=\"28\" y=\"44\" class=\"svg-tw\">Key takeaways<\/text><line x1=\"28\" y1=\"58\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"58\" class=\"svg-line2\"\/><rect x=\"24\" y=\"76\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M75.3,114.0 L75.3,134.0 L58.0,144.0 L40.7,134.0 L40.7,114.0 L58.0,104.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"58\" y=\"130.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">1<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"119\" class=\"svg-c\">The larvae, not the adults,<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"139\" class=\"svg-c\">cause the damage<\/text><rect x=\"372\" y=\"76\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M423.3,114.0 L423.3,134.0 L406.0,144.0 L388.7,134.0 L388.7,114.0 L406.0,104.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"406\" y=\"130.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">2<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"119\" class=\"svg-c\">Birds pecking often give away<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"139\" class=\"svg-c\">the presence of larvae<\/text><rect x=\"24\" y=\"184\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M75.3,222.0 L75.3,242.0 L58.0,252.0 L40.7,242.0 L40.7,222.0 L58.0,212.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"58\" y=\"238.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">3<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"227\" class=\"svg-c\">Confirm the cause with<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"247\" class=\"svg-c\">sampling before acting<\/text><rect x=\"372\" y=\"184\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M423.3,222.0 L423.3,242.0 L406.0,252.0 L388.7,242.0 L388.7,222.0 L406.0,212.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"406\" y=\"238.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">4<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"227\" class=\"svg-c\">Less moisture and less thatch<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"247\" class=\"svg-c\">make turf less attractive<\/text><rect x=\"24\" y=\"292\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M75.3,330.0 L75.3,350.0 L58.0,360.0 L40.7,350.0 L40.7,330.0 L58.0,320.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"58\" y=\"346.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">5<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"325\" class=\"svg-c\">Every treatment: label,<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"345\" class=\"svg-c\">regulations and a licensed<\/text><text x=\"90\" y=\"365\" class=\"svg-c\">adviser<\/text><rect x=\"372\" y=\"292\" width=\"336\" height=\"96\" rx=\"4\" class=\"svg-card\"\/><path d=\"M423.3,330.0 L423.3,350.0 L406.0,360.0 L388.7,350.0 L388.7,330.0 L406.0,320.0Z\" class=\"svg-hex2\"\/><text x=\"406\" y=\"346.0\" text-anchor=\"middle\" class=\"svg-n2\">6<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"335\" class=\"svg-c\">Record and repeat sampling to<\/text><text x=\"438\" y=\"355\" class=\"svg-c\">evaluate the result<\/text><\/svg><p class=\"src\">Further reading: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.miteco.gob.es\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ministerio para la Transici\u00f3n Ecol\u00f3gica (Spain&#x27;s Ministry for the Ecological Transition)<\/a>. To understand the general framework for the sustainable use of plant protection products, you can visit the website of Spain&#x27;s Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO).<\/p><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><details class=\"faq\"><summary>How do I know whether I have leatherjackets in turf and not another problem?<\/summary><p>Lift a piece of turf in the affected area and look for greyish, legless larvae in the roots and crown. You can also watch for birds pecking. Because the symptoms can be confused with drought or root disease, confirm with sampling before applying any measure.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"faq\"><summary>When should I monitor for leatherjackets in turf?<\/summary><p>As a rough guide, after egg-laying in late summer or autumn and during the cool, damp months, when the larvae are active. The exact calendar depends on the area, climate and altitude, so the ideal is to set monitoring points and repeat the sampling regularly.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"faq\"><summary>Is it compulsory to apply a plant protection treatment?<\/summary><p>Not always. First the population and the risk of damage are assessed, and cultural measures are applied. If a product is needed, it must be authorised for that use, applied according to the label and current regulations by trained staff and with the advice of a licensed technician or adviser.<\/p><\/details><aside class=\"cta\"><h3>Total Greenkeeper<\/h3><p>Detecting problems early and acting safely means recording every sample and every intervention. Total Greenkeeper helps you maintain treatment traceability and generate simple, intuitive reports on what is happening in each zone of the course, so you can decide with data.<\/p><p>Request a demo at totalgreenkeeper.com.<\/p><a class=\"btn\" href=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/#demo\">Request a demo<\/a><\/aside><h2>Keep reading<\/h2><ul class=\"rel\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/integrated-pest-management-golf-key-steps\/\">Integrated pest management in golf<\/a> <span>Integrated pest management in golf: 6 key steps<\/span><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/turf-caterpillars-control-steps\/\">Turf caterpillars: steps to control them<\/a> <span>Turf Caterpillars: 5 Steps to Control Them<\/span><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/turf-scarifying-steps-reduce-thatch\/\">Scarifying to reduce thatch<\/a> <span>Turf Scarifying: 5 Steps to Reduce Thatch<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How do I know whether I have leatherjackets in turf and not another problem?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Lift a piece of turf in the affected area and look for greyish, legless larvae in the roots and crown. 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These five steps help you monitor, interpret the symptoms and act with judgement and safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":26293,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24324","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-treatments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24324","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24324"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24324\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25869,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24324\/revisions\/25869"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26293"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24324"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24324"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/totalgreenkeeper.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24324"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}