The adults do no harm to the grass, only the caterpillars do. Note how it's both less green and shorter than the rest of the lawn. All turfgrass species grown in the Midwest may be damaged by sod webworms. Sod webworms are a complex of over 20 species of Pyralid moths across the U.S. Two species that have occurred in outbreak situations are the bluegrass webworm and the larger sod webworm. Sod webworm damage is circular in appearance, can be any size from a few inches to an entire lawn, and often a distinct grey or tannish color. Larval feeding damage reduces turfgrass aesthetics, vigor, photosynthesis and density. Photo by MSU. As feeding damage intensifies, small damaged areas often merge into large irregular patches of brown. Green fecal pellets are commonly found near the entrance of a burrow. If natural approaches to getting rid of these worms don’t work or you have webworm problems year after year, talk with a lawn care specialist. Close examination reveals firmly rooted turf that appears … The tropical sod webworm is a warm season lawn caterpillar found in the southeastern United States and other tropical areas. Sod Webworm larvae or caterpillars (the life stage that damages the lawn) feed on blades of grass from late spring until fall. Sod webworms feed on St Augustine grass leaves. The caterpillars are the damaging stage of these moths. 4 (1 = rare 5 = annual) Severity. Sod webworm damage usually begins as general thinning of turf, followed by development of small patches of brown, closely-cut grass. Consult with our garden staff to get on an application routine to help minimize and prevent further damage. Mow the lawn regularly but make sure to set the mower at the recommended height for the grass species. They are susceptible to cold and do not survive severe winters. Sod Webworm Damage Can Look Like a Weed-Eater Hit Your Lawn. Webworm damage is particularly severe in droughty conditions, in Look for the presence of tiny brown moths flying around the lawn. We have also seen the damage on Bermuda grass, but to a lesser extent. Sod webworm larval damage often is observed as brown patches up to the size of a baseball in the lawn. After their eggs hatch, tropical sod webworm larvae begin to feed on turfgrass leaves at night or during overcast parts of the day. 4 (1 = rare 5 = annual) Severity. Sod Webworm damage. By midsummer, large sections of the lawn may be destroyed by the sod webworm caterpillars, which prefer sunny areas. Share this article on social media. Sod Webworms . My husband re … Photo: Steven Arthurs, UF/IFAS. All turfgrass species grown in the Midwest may be damaged by sod webworms. If you think you have sod webworms, contact a licensed landscape professional for a free landscape inspection. Tropical sod webworm damage. Sod webworm caterpillars cause the damage to turfgrass. Sod webworm damage. 3. For lawns that are not constantly cared for, however, sod webworm damage can be quick, severe and is often mistaken for a damaged lawn. They particularly like thatchy lawns. It lays the eggs, and they hatch to become caterpillar (sod webworm). This limits their most severe damage to south Texas where winters are mild. They may be green, gray or brown, for the most part. Larvae feed at night on grass leaves and stems near the soil surface, and hide during the day within burrows lined with silk webbing (hence the name "webworms") which penetrate through the thatch layer and into the soil. Webworm damage is particularly severe in droughty conditions, in When To Look For Damage. Sod webworm damage . Sod Webworms Causing Damage. Feeding damage from sod webworm larvae frequently goes unnoticed during periods of drought. Sod webworms are a serious pest of turfgrass in Georgia. Damage will appear as scattered brownish areas of turf, with these areas combining into large brown areas later. Generally, if no feeding injury or larvae are found, the problem is due to other agents and an insecticide application will not provide control. Adult sod webworms are not the problem, their larvae are. Frequency. The larvae, or caterpillars, are destructive pests of warm season turf grasses, like St. Augustine, bermuda, and zoysia grasses. In addition, with a 28-day lifecycle, several generations of these webworms can be produced in a single season. Sod Webworms . Damage will appear as scattered brownish areas of turf, with these areas combining into large brown areas later. The first sign of damage is often caused by differences in grass height in areas where larvae are feeding. Not sure what sod webworms are or what trouble they might cause your lawn? A more thorough look reveals silk-lined tunnels in the soil-thatch interface. The adult moth does not damage the grass directly. There are several sod webworm species, few of which have only one generation in mid to late summer, and do not cause significant damage.. Only the variety which has larva of the first generation in early spring causes substantial issues in turfgrass because it is only the first surge of feeding worms. The most severe damage usually occurs in July and August. Identify Sod Webworm damage in your lawn. Source: Steven Arthurs, University of Florida* UGA ooperative Extension ircular 1156 Sod Webworms: iology and Management in urfgrass 4 Management Well-maintained turfgrass is relatively resistant to webworm damage. As you can see, people equate it to, they wake up one morning and it looks like somebody, the yard will be kind of an off colored brown. You'll see the worst of the damage in July and August. Obviously this yard, they did their damage about six weeks ago, so … You’re most likely to experience a sod webworm issue from early in the spring through the fall. How does the sod webworm damage the grass? Adults are generally active in the evening and have a characteristic short, zigzag flight. Adults (Lawn Moths) Adults are grayish tan moths, 0.5- to 0.75-inch long, with two fingerlike horns protruding from the head. If you already have damage from sod webworms, you should have your lawn treated immediately. There are quite a few pests and diseases that can damage your Florida lawn, and tropical sod webworm (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis) is one of those pests. Webworm larvae overwinter in soil and when the warmth of spring arrives and grass starts to grow, the larvae begin to feed. Caterpillars range in size from ½ to about an inch long (depending on the species) when fully grown. Sod webworm damage. Damage first becomes apparent in spring or early summer as small, dead patches of grass in an otherwise healthy lawn. 3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed) Hosts. Wings are held flat over the back when at rest, giving the insect a triangular appearance. Tropical sod webworm adults (Fig. Just because a lawn previously had sod webworm damage does not make it more susceptible in the future, says Cal Leggett, director of agronomy with Juniper Landscaping in Fort Meyers, Fla.. Juniper Landscaping is a full-service commercial landscape design, irrigation, construction and maintenance company. The sod webworm is going to be with us well into the fall, so stay on top of treatments. The sod webworm can be a destructive insect, particularly on lawns or in parks. Damage. Symptoms. They will reach about an inch in length and vary in color, depending on the species of caterpillar. Damage: The first signs of sod webworm injury are small patches of yellow or brown grass on the lawn. Do not … As of November 18, 2020, the moths are no longer swarming in our area and no further treatment should be needed in 2020. Sod webworms have two generations per season. If you see … Here’s what you’ll discover in today’s article . There is limited information available to the green industry and the public about the general biology, ecology, and management of this pest. Don’t panic if you do, this is expected as they move around from untreated areas. Share. Are Sod Webworms taking a bite out of your lawn? Shake the shrubs and bushes to see if any of the moths fly out. And, it looks like this season these pests have arrived sooner than expected. By midsummer, large sections of the lawn may be destroyed by the sod webworm caterpillars, which prefer sunny areas. Identification: Take a walk across your yard near your flowerbeds during the day. Caterpillars grow to almost 3/4 inch long , appearing translucent green with small dark-colored spots or plates arranged on each body segment and a dark, yellowish-brown head capsule. The worms that hatch in the spring cause the bulk of the damage from feeding throughout spring and summer. Writer Bio. The Tropical Sod Webworm takes up residence. In some instances, the brown patches are punctured with pencil-sized holes a result of birds searching for the webworm burrows. The moth’s harborage in shrubs and shady areas during the day. A professional can advise you on treating your lawn for sod webworms without harming the grass or the beneficial insects living there. Sod webworms feed on most turfgrasses including bluegrass, bentgrass, tall and fine-leafed fescues, zoysiagrass and buffalograss. 21ecmatas-6.jpg (Photo by Peter Forest) QUESTION: Last year, we had a lot of damage to our St. Augustine lawn from sod webworms. Maintaining a lawn height of about 2 1/2 inches will minimize the visual appearance of light sod webworm damage. Frequency. Sod webworm moths do not damage turf. Sod Webworm Control in lawns. Several lawn diseases cause brown patches resembling webworm injury. At rest, they fold their wings over their abdomen and appear cigar-shaped. In these cases, check for the presence of larvae or other diagnostic characteristics. While they prefer St. Augustinegrass, these very hungry caterpillars also munch on bermudagrass and … A good indication of sod webworm damage is that the grass has been clipped, and is not simply dead grass. Herpetogramma licarsisalis. About Sod Webworms. Adult tropical sod webworm moths are dingy brown with wing spans of about 3/4 inch. Figure 3. 2) are brown moths with a mature wingspan of approximately 20 mm (3/4 inch). Sod Webworm Damage in Kingwood, TX. Tropical sod webworm larvae are destructive pests of warm season turfgrasses in the southeastern U.S., especially on newly established sod, lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. Damage first becomes apparent in spring or early summer as small, dead patches of grass in an otherwise healthy lawn. Reproduction Patterns of Sod Webworms. The sod webworm can be a destructive insect, particularly on lawns or in parks. You'll first notice brown, circular patches the size of small plates in the driest areas of your lawn, where the grass will be clipped very close to the ground, then the same area will turn brown. Soap Flush Test. 3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed) Hosts. How does the damage look like? These moths are the adult form of the caterpillars. Because of the timing of the damage, some people mistakenly assume that it’s caused by high temperatures and a lack of rain. Step 3. The most distinct symptom is the lawn is shorter in the damaged areas – this is because the sod webworms are cutting down the St Augustine grass. Close examination reveals firmly rooted turf that appears … The wings form a triangular shape when resting. Sod webworms are a nuisance pest that will destroy a St. Augustine lawn. This publication includes photos of sod webworms, their life cycle, and management options so that landscape industry professionals and homeowners can learn about the pest sufficiently to manage it. Sod webworms can be an unpredictable pest. However, they cause the most serious damage to the turfgrass during mid and late summer. Sod webworm damage . Because sod webworms can cause extensive damage to your lawn, they’re not something you can afford to ignore. You will continue to see moths throughout the coming months. Symptoms. Photo by MSU. Here we just wanted to show a little bit closer shot of the damage that these things cause. 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