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Home > Bugs > Bugs Found in Yards and Lawns > Sod Webworms

Sod Webworms

Several species of caterpillars are called sod webworms and in the larval stage they can be highly destructive pests of lawns. The caterpillars live in silk-lined tunnels constructed in the thatch near the soil surface. They chew grass blades off just above the thatch line, and are mainly active at night. The adults of sod webworms are often called lawn moths because they fly in a jerky zigzag pattern a few feet above the lawn.

 

sod webworm larvae adult moth of sod webworm turf damage caused by sod webworm larvae
Most sod webworm larvae are under one inch in length. They have dark shiny heads and vary in color from greenish to beige, brown or gray. They have four parallel rows of dark spots along the length of their abdomen. Sod webworms adults (moths) are 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, buff-colored or grayish-brown. At rest they fold their wings closely against their bodies, giving them a very narrow appearance. In thick, green turf, damage appears as small brown patches. When many larvae are present the patches run together and form large irregular, thin and brown areas.

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[Photos, left to right: University of California IPM Program; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; unknown]

 
It is the policy of the State of Maine to minimize reliance on pesticides. The Maine Department of Agriculture and the Maine IPM Council encourage everyone to practice integrated pest management and to use pesticides only as a last resort. The mention of pesticides in the fact sheets linked to these pages does not imply an endorsement of any product. Be sure that any product used is currently registered and follow all label directions.