Sod webworms: Distribution, biology and management

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. Larval feeding affects the esthetics, vigour, 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. Heavy infestations allow the ingress of weeds. Current control recommendations include several cultural methods (including dethatching and cultivar selection) and the foliar application of chemical insecticides against larval stages. We summarize the seasonal biology, taxonomy, and IPM options of these pests. We highlight our experiences with the tropical sod webworm, Herpetogramma phaeopteralis (Guenée), 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.