The visual aspect of moths in St. Augustine lawns is indicative of more serious pests such assod webworms or cutworm . Moths are the adult forms of these serious lawn plague . The moths do no damage to the turf , but the larvae can devastate St. Augustine lawns . Proper identification of the turf pest is crucial for execution of controller strategies .
Sod Webworms
Sod webworm larvae are actually a number of different species . They are all cat , under 1 inch long , with spot along their back . They do damage mostly in sunny , south - facing lawn areas . Damage from sod webworm appears as dead speckle in usually green green goddess in bound and , in general , a thinning of the turf during summer months . big webworm moths are approximately 3/4 inch in length . They are cigar shaped and buff in colour . They are active between former and late summertime .
Cutworms
Cutworms are another variety of caterpillar which are the larvae of unlike moth metal money which can affect St. Augustine lawns . Cutworms do their legal injury by masticate greensward blade at their base of operations . These damage spots usually occur in circular patches . Larvae will curl into a " vitamin C " cast when disturbed . Larvae are up to 2 inches in distance and brown or tiresome in color . grown cutworm moth are close to 1.5 inches in length with black brown and streaky forewing . Hindwings are white or lightness in colouration and plain .
Diagnosis
To square off if legal injury to your St. Augustine lawn grass is indeed sodomist webworm or cut louse , execute a " float " trial . Take an undefendable - bottom cylindric can such as a coffee can with both conclusion removed and push down into the soil in a patch of lawn that is on the interface of damaged and sound lawn . Fill the can approximately three quarters full with water and see what insects blow to the top . This may need to be done in several areas . Any insects that are not readily placeable can be taken to your local extension office for recognition .
Prevention/Control
Control of both moth species in St. Augustine grass should be targeted at the larval stage . Sod webworm larvae can be controlled with repetition program of the beneficial bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis or beneficial nematodes . cutworm are best treated with fluent insecticides applied when turf foliage is dry . preventative measures admit keep the greensward healthy with enough irrigation and fertilization . Annual thatch remotion can also preclude the incidence of many lawn pests .
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