Urban biodiversity of crambine sod webworms and their host preferences

Although sod webworms (Crambinae: Crambidae: Lepidoptera) are well-known pests of corn and turfgrass, the larval host preferences of these moths in turfgrasses are poorly known in central Ohio.  Indeed, it is very time consuming to identify immature sod webworms to species using morphological characters.  From March through October, of both 2011 and 2012, we selected two turfgrass plots (Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis, and creeping bentgrass, Agrostis stolonifera) in Franklin Co., Ohio known to support sod webworms. We performed regular soap flushes at both these sites to procure larvae. DNA analysis was performed and BLAST searches were used to identify the samples.  Parapediasia teterrella was most commonly collected larvae and, to date, has been the only species identified in the bentgrass.  Near these turf sites, adults were collected throughout the same period using a black light trap.  Twelve species of Crambinae were commonly collected. Adult abundance appears to follow periods of larval abundance for currently identified species.  Euchromius ocellus was seen for the first time this year from light trapping in the research area.