Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306859
Title: Tropical sod webworm (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): a pest of warm season Turfgrasses

Author
item TOFANGSAZI, NASTARAN - University Of Florida
item CHERRY, RON - University Of Florida
item Meagher, Robert - Rob
item ARTHURS, STEVEN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2014
Publication Date: 12/1/2014
Citation: Tofangsazi, N., Cherry, R.H., Meagher Jr, R.L., Arthurs, S.P. 2014. Tropical sod webworm (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): a pest of warm season Turfgrasses. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 5(4):c1-c8. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/IPM14014.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Larvae of Herpetogramma species (commonly called webworms, sod webworms, or grass webworms) are widely distributed throughout North America, Eurasia, Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America. Tropical sod webworm Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (Guenée) larvae are among the most destructive pests of warm season turfgrasses in the southeastern United States, Caribbean and Central America, especially on sod farms and newly established sod, lawns, athletic fields, and golf courses. Larval feeding affects the aesthetics, vigor, photosynthesis and density of turfgrass. Symptoms of infestation appear as notched and ragged grass blades with damaged areas in lawn appearing as small brown patches of closely mowed grass that allow the ingress of weeds. Current control recommendations against tropical sod webworm include several cultural methods and the application of above-ground chemical insecticides against larval stages. In this paper we discuss the seasonal biology, taxonomy, morphology, damage, and potential integrated management options of this important pest.