Color: Larvae have a brown head but can display various body colorations, including beige, grey, brown or green
Size: larvae are covered with dark, circular spots and coarse hairs. Full-grown larvae range in size from ⅝-1″, but most are ¾″.
Sod webworms overwinter as immature larvae in silk-lined chambers in the thatch layer. As temperatures begin to warm in the spring, larvae become active and resume feeding on turf grass blades at night. During the day, larvae will seek refuge in the thatch layer.
Sod webworms overwinter as immature larvae in silk-lined chambers in the thatch layer. As temperatures begin to warm in the spring, larvae become active and resume feeding on turf grass blades at night. During the day, larvae will seek refuge in the thatch layer. Larvae are more obvious and curl into a ball when disturbed.
Adults are also nocturnal and can be seen flying low over turf grass and feeding on plant dew. Mated females will drop eggs over the turf grass;
One way to flush larvae from the thatch layer is to pour soapy water (2 tablespoons liquid dishwashing detergent into 2 gallons of water) over a 1ft2 area on the turf grass and watch for larvae to surface.
Sod webworms prefer to feed on turf grass, being the ideal food source. Larvae are the damaging life stage and clip turf grass blades off just above the crown. Initially, sod webworm damage begins as a general thinning to a small area, followed by the presence of obvious brown patches. Severe infestations can cause large irregular patches throughout a lawn. Because sod webworms are feeding on aboveground plant tissue, the roots remain intact.
- Rake up thick thatch and destroy it. This reduces the number of webworm burrows. Try drenching infested patches with a soap solution. As webworm wriggle to the surface, collect them with a leaf rake and drop them into a bucket of soapy water
- Parasitic soil nematodes are effective against webworms. These microscopic nematodes are sprayed on irrigated turf and lightly watered in. There are two types of parasitic nematodes available commercially. One type, Heterorhabditis spp., is very aggressive, works in cool or warm soils, and inhabits soil down to 15 cm. The other type, Steinernema spp., is less aggressive, works best in warm soils, and stays in the top 5 cm of soil.
- The microbial product Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) can be used to control webworm. This naturally occurring bacterium acts as a stomach poison when it is eaten by caterpillars, but does not damage other insects.
MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND TREATMENT FOR Sod Web Worm CONTROL
Pests need food, water, and shelter. Often the problem may be solved just by removing these key items. Before even thinking about chemical pest control, it is important to be aware of Pest’s Conducive conditions & It’s Recommendations.
Pesticides can be purchased in many different forms, each form has specific uses and application methods The pesticide application method you choose depends on the nature and habits of the target pest, the properties of the pesticide, the suitability of the application equipment, and the cost and efficiency of alternative methods. Your choice is often predetermined by one or more of these factors. Follow label directions for volume recommendations and application rates based on the pest to be controlled and utilize appropriate application tips on equipment. , these application methods are for informational purposes only. To know specific applications method/s for the product you buy, please refer actual packages for complete Label Verbiage.
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