DAMAGE DESCRIPTION:
Irregular small yellow to brown patches, enlarge and coalesce; signs of feeding activity on both leaves and stems; close examination reveals silk-lined burrows near turf surface where larvae remain in daytime; foliar chewing insect; cranberry girdler larvae also feed on roots; all occur in temperate cool climates, except tropical sod webworm and grass webworm, which are found more in warmer humid climate; turf damage most severe in sunny areas during moist weather in summer; larvae slender, grayish to brown to black spotted caterpillar, from 9 to 20 mm long; adult is tan to grayish to brown moth with snout like projection from head, wing span 20 to 25 mm, folded close to body when at rest; accumulation of green pellets (frass) on thatch of damaged turf.
HOST GRASSES:
Most turfgrasses, especially: Bermudagrasses and Bluegrasses
Others: Bentgrasses, Centipedegrass, Fine Fescues, Kikuyugrass, Perennial ryegrass, St. Augustinegrass, Zoysiagrass
LIFE CYCLE:
Adults rest in shrubbery and sheltered areas during day, at night they drop eggs on turf during flight or lay eggs on grass shoots; eggs hatch in 1 week; larvae feed nocturnally for 3 to 4 weeks; 6 to 10 instars; life cycle is 5 to 8 weeks; 2 to 4 generations.
FACTORS THAT MAY PROMOTE INSECT DAMAGE:
Attracted to high quality, vigorous turf; monitor for signs of infestation; seemed to be attracted to new sod as well.
CULTURAL CONTROL:
Monitor turf well; use detergent solution to bring worms to the surface; birds searching for worms are good sign; look for moths flying over turf in early morning-also fly out of grass when disturbed; thatch control; numbers greatest usually in late summer; some endophyte cultivars in Fescues and Ryegrasses.
CHEMICAL CONTROL:
Apply control in late afternoon or evening, with irrigation delayed as long as possible.
| 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 | Orthene; Address T/O |
| Carbaryl | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer | Sevin |
| Trichlorfon | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer | Dylox, Proxol, Pronto |
| Bifenthrin | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer | Talstar |
| Lambda-cyhalothrin | Good to Excellent | As needed | Summer | Scimitar, Battle |
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.