Tropical Sod Webworm – Herpetogramma phaeopteralis

Tropical Sod Webworm: Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Common Name: Tropical Sod Webworm:  Latin Name: Herpetogramma phaeopteralis Appearance: The Tropical Sod Webworm larvae have brown bodies that make them look like caterpillars. A Y-shaped mark on the head capsule can tell them apart.

• Egg:This is the first stage of the moth’s life cycle. Adult moths lay eggs in the grass.
• Larva:Larvae hatch from eggs and eat grass blades like crazy during this stage, which could damage fields.
• Pupae:As part of their transformation, larvae change into pupae, usually in the dirt.
• Adult :In the last stage, moths become adults and are ready to start the life cycle again.

Host Plant: The Tropical Sod Webworm lives in Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, Zoysia grass, and other types of turfgrass. Territory: This pest does best in tropical and subtropical areas that are warm and humid. Damages Caused By Tropical Sod Webworm:  The voracious appetite of the larvae poses a threat to lawns. Eating grass blades leaves behind ugly brown spots that hurt the health and look of green areas. Life History and Habitat:  The Tropical Sod Webworm lives and grows in turfgrass. This cycle goes back and forth between the eggs left by adult moths, the destructive larval stage, the pupal stage in the soil, and the appearance of new moths. Lawns, golf courses, and places that get a lot of water are where the Tropical Sod Webworm does its job as a standard but annoying pest.