Sod webworms are caterpillars that feed on grass.
They can be found in all grasses, especially
St. Augustinegrass.
Sod webworms normally
start becoming a problem in
Florida
as early as mid-June.
From a distance, their
damage looks like the grass was scalped too close by the lawn mower.
Up close you will see notches along the sides
of the grass blades where the caterpillar
has chewed.
They can be difficult to see because they feed
only at night and rest in a curled position on the soil surface during the day.
Mature sod webworms can cause quite a bit of damage before
they develop into dingy brown moths.
They can consume enough grass in a short period of time to cause homeowners
to think that the damage has occurred "overnight."
As adults, sod webworms are small moths that do not cause
damage.
They tend to hide in shrubs and
other sheltered areas during the day and fly low to the ground when disturbed.
Female moths lay clusters of white eggs at
night. The eggs can hatch within 7 days and there can be many generations each
year.
Grass can recover from sod webworm damage if properly fertilized,
irrigated and maintained.
To help keep your lawn looking healthy and green – and free
of pests,
contact Massey Services GreenUP Landscape Services for a free,
detailed inspection and written estimate.