Sod Webworm in
North Florida Lawns
Description:
The most damaging
of the lawn grass caterpillars is the tropical sod webworm. The larve are greenish with yellow black spots. The
adults are dingy brown moths with a wingspan of about ¾ of an inch.
Damage from Sod
Webworms:
Larvae of the
tropical sod webworm hatch and begin feeding on grass blades causing damage within a few weeks. They continue to
damage sod for about the next week and a half until they begin to pupate. Sod webworms are usually not present
in significant enough numbers to damage sod until August in the North Florida area.
Feeding Habits of Sod
Webworms:
Sod webworms
primarily feed at night and lay inactive near the soils surface during the day.
Reproductin and Life Cycle of Sod
Webworms in Jacksonville | St. Augustine | North Florida Areas:
There are
several generations of sod webworm each year. They go from hatching
to adult in a matter of 5 or 6 weeks.
Control of Sod Webworms in North
Florida Lawns:
Natural
Control:
Predacious earwig, several spiders, ground beetles and
parasitic wasps all help to keep populations of sod webworm in check.
Cultural
Control:
Check for insect populations using a flashlight at night or
the can flush method.
Studies
throughout Florida have shown significant decrease in this particular pest problem by maintaining proper
cultural procedures. See reducing the need for chemical control.
Chemical
Control:
When no
beneficial insects are found and lawn caterpillars reach more than 10 per square foot then chemical control may
be necessary. Thuricide, Diazanon, Sevin or Dursban may be used in accordance with package label directions for
sod webworm treatment.
A Word of Caution with Chemicals
from Me to You:
Perhaps it is my many years of dealing with the people in
the Agriculture industry who have lived long lives and encountered many troubles with chemicals during their
careers, but I cannot talk about chemical control without at least my mentioning the following
concerns.
Make sure to read all directions carefully and apply liquid sprays diluted with
water at the application rate recommended on the product label for the pest you are targeting and do not mix
stronger than suggested target treatment rates.
Remember that
insecticides are POISONS and approach their use with caution, wear protective eye gear and chemical resistant
gloves and rubber boots as well as long sleeved shirts and pants. Remember to wash these items separately from
other laundry immediately after application and shower after getting the clothes into the
laundry.
Lastly but most
importantly, pay particular attention to lock unused chemicals up away from visiting children and pets.
So that’s it on the
speech about chemicals, I hope I have been able to help you know what’s wrong and how to treat it so now you
have to help me sleep easier by indulging me with these motherly concerns, fair trade don’t you think?
I’ll sleep easier knowing that you did.
J Charlotte
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