Turf Damaging Insects

chinch bugs

Chinch Bugs usually occur in open, sunny areas, especially drought-stressed areas near sidewalks and driveways. They live in the thatch and suck fluids from the crowns, stems and stolons of grasses with their needle-like mouthparts. This causes the grass to turn yellow and die. The insects tend to feed in groups, so dead patches of grass appear and seem to get larger as the chinch bugs spread through the grass.

Sod Web Worms

Sod webworm adults are small, tan to gray moths with a wingspan of 3/4 to 1 inch. They do not cause damage. They fly low to the grass when disturbed. Moths hide in shrubs and other sheltered areas during the day, begin flying at dusk, and lay eggs randomly on grass at night. Eggs hatch about a week later.

Larvae remain curled up in the soil during the day and feed at night. Newly hatched larvae skeletonize the grass blades, while older larvae chew on grass blades near the soil surface. Damage begins in small patches of short-clipped grass, about 1 to 3 inches in diameter. The lawn may look ragged, and irregularly-shaped, larger brown patches may form.