Sod Webworm Treatment in the Cayman Islands

Sod webworms comprise several different species of lawn-damaging caterpillars. These caterpillars are the immature larvae stage of various moths known collectively as snout moths and lawn moths. The moths have distinctive, snout like projections on their heads, and they're often found clinging to grass blades, heads pointing down, with their wings rolled tight. Lawn moths don't damage grasses, but their hungry larvae do. Sunny areas of your lawn are hardest hit.

Identification: Sod webworm moths are white, gray or tan with snout like projections and wingspans up to 1 inch. They fly in short, zig-zagging spurts. Sod webworm larvae grow to 3/4 to 1 inch long and vary in color, depending on the species. They have dark heads and small dark spots along bodies that range from gray or pinkish brown to green.

Signs/Damage: These leaf-chewing pests shear grass off at the thatch line, eating entire stems or dragging them into webbed, silk-lined thatch tunnels for later meals. Damage typically starts as irregular spots marked by very short grass, which goes from green to brown without yellowing. The spots enlarge quickly and grass dies.

Tips:

• Sod webworms are night feeders. Maximize your impact by treating during late afternoon or early evening, right before these pests come out to feed.
• Watch for bird activity in affected lawn areas. Birds feed on sod webworms and similar turf-damaging insects, leaving probing holes in damaged turf.
• Contact Pestkil for professional help.