DAMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Circular to irregular, dead patches; leaf blades appear transparent from plant cells being eaten; large grass areas may be eaten to soil surface during severe outbreaks, with numerous larvae evident and migrating in mass; adult moth flies at night and is attracted to light; foliar chewing insect; larvae inhabit turf thatch as a resting place; prefer warm humid climates, poor cold tolerance; feed at night and during day ; green excrement frass may be present in feeding areas.
HOST GRASSES:
Major hosts: Bermudagrass
Others: Bentgrass, Bluegrasses, Fescues, Ryegrasses, and most turfgrasses
LIFE CYCLE:
Adults lay eggs on leaves at night and cover with light grayish fuzz; emerging larvae curl up inside leaf sheaths, suspend from plants by threads, and move about soil surface; larvae feed 2 to 3 weeks, then burrow 2 to 3 inches into soil and pupate; adults emerge in 10 to 14 days; 1 to 10 generations; warm humid climates-do not have cold tolerance; young larvae white with black heads; mature larvae-head with inverted white Y; stripes along body; approx 1.5 inches.
FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE INSECT DAMAGE:
Warm humid climate; excessive thatch where they rest; look for animals or birds trying to eat worms on turf; late spring to fall seasons-normally towards late summer and early fall in Texas from migrations of the adults.
CULTURAL CONTROL:
Eliminate thatch in turf; monitor sites and signs of infestation.
CHEMICAL CONTROL:
Apply pesticides in late afternoon or evening with irrigation delayed until next day; repeat applications may be needed in some climates.
| Specific Insecticide Recommendations | ||||
|
Insecticide (chemical name) |
Efficacy |
Application Interval |
Time of Year To Apply |
Example of Products (trade names |
| Acephate | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer/Fall | Orthene, Address T/O |
| Bifenthrin | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer/Fall | Talstar |
| Halofenozide | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer/Fall | Mach 2 |
| Carbaryl | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer/Fall | Sevin |
REFERENCES:
Beard, J. B. 2002. Turfgrass Management for Golf Courses. Second Edition. Ann Harbor Press. Chelsea, Michigan..
Decker, H. F., Decker, J. M. 1988. Lawn Care-A Handbook for Professionals. Prentice Hall. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Liskey, E., “Turfgrass Insecticides”, Grounds Maintenance, Volume 37, Number 2, February 2002, pp. 8-10.
Turgeon, A. J. 2002. Turfgrass Management. Sixth Edition. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Taylor, G. R. - Editor. 2000. Turfgrass Pesticide Recommendations 1999-2000. Extension Publication SCS-1991-01. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Duble, R. L. 2001. Turfgrasses-Their Management and Use in the Southern Zone. Second Edition. Texas A&M University. College Station, Texas.
Emmons, R. D. 2000. Turfgrass Science and Management. Third Edition. Delmar Thomson Learning. Albany, New York.