| ID Features: |
Larvae
Cream to dull gray colored caterpillars
Many pairs of dark spots on body
3/4" long at maturity
Adults
Sod webworm
Gray to tan moths
Long snout
At rest, fold wings close to body
Tropical Sod Webworm
Gray to brown moths
At rest, wings held in flat triangle over body
|
| Damaging Stages: |
Larvae (caterpillars)
|
Damage & Signs
of Activity: |
Chew on grass blades and shoots
Cause browning of turf in irregular patches
Larvae construct silken tunnels in thatch
Probing by birds may indicate presence of webworms
Green pellets (frass) are evidence of webworm activity
Large numbers of moths flying over turf in late evening
suggest problems may develop
Tropical Sod Webworm
Early instars skeletonize blades (windowpane effect)
Chews notches along sides of blades
|
Damaging
Periods: |
North: Summer
South: Throughout year
|
Grasses
Preferred: |
North - Fine fescue and bluegrasses
South - St. Augustine
|
