Sod webworm adult (left) and larva (right). Sod webworms are the larvae of lawn moths. If that approach doesn’t work, you can try insecticidal soaps or seek out a professional Houston lawn care service for help. Whiteflies, for instance, are common insect pests of … Mated females fly just above the lawn surface and randomly scatter their eggs into the grass. Each female may lay several hundred eggs which hatch into a new generation of larvae within a week. Some homeowners may incorrectly believe that protection from insect pests is important only when growing ornamental or garden plants, but lawn grasses and indeed any other type of plant can suffer damage from insect pests. Sod webworms are a nuisance pest that will destroy a St. Augustine lawn. Photos by MSU. Recently, you've probably noticed little moths hanging out in your grass. They may sip nectar from a flower or dew from a grass blade, but their sole purpose is to find a mate, procreate, lay eggs and die. When the overwintering larvae get to late spring, they pupate and then the adult moths emerge 10-14 days later, typically in June. Females may drop up to 200 eggs in the grass while they are flying. Moths have erratic flight, move freely over lawn about dusk, and are attracted to light. As of November 18, 2020, the moths are no longer swarming in our area … In early June, webworms pupate in loosely woven cocoons made of silk and bits of dirt. In the spring, female sod webworms lay eggs, up to 60 eggs per night! Adult moths can be recognized as they dart in a zigzag pattern over the grass. Sod webworms in Houston are common and are attracted to healthy new grass. Sod Webworms are small green worms that turn into small brown moths, and they might be the culprit of a browning yard. If you are seeing thousands of moths accumulating in your flowerbeds, a simple spray of a liquid insecticide like Cyonara or Bifen IT, will knock out the moth (adult stage). Although the moths themselves pose no danger to landscape plants, the presence of the moths is a legitimate cause for concern. Instead, the last generation from the summer build tunnels in the soil and mature. After mating, female moths can lay up to 200 eggs, which will hatch into young larvae, ready to feed on your lawn in as little as 7 days. When spring hits, they begin feeding on grass. For the past few weeks, we've gotten a couple e-mails asking about large numbers of small moths flying around Gainesville lawns and beds. Adult moths rest during the day in deep grass, groundcover or in shrubbery. Approximately 10-14 days later adult moths emerge and begin mating. Adults lay eggs shortly after emergence. Eggs hatch in five to 10 days, and the young larvae begin feeding (skeletonizing) in the soft areas between the veins of grass blades. Eggs hatch in 5–14 days and the young larvae feed on the tender young grass leaves, spinning a protective silky web. 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