White moths on lawn - Ask Extension
Hi,I have little white moths on my lawn and also have dead patches of grass. Do the moths cause the dead patches? If so how do I get rid of them?
Knowledgebase
White moths on lawn #121068
Asked April 10, 2013, 5:39 PM EDT
Hi,I have little white moths on my lawn and also have dead patches of grass. Do the moths cause the dead patches? If so how do I get rid of them?
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
It is possible that the white moths you're seeing are the adult of the sod webworm, but we can only be certain of identification from a specimen. It is still early to be seeing sod webworm moths so be sure to confirm the identification before taking management actions.
If possible, you should take one or more of the moths and a sample of the lawn to Jackson County Master Gardener Plant Clinic at 569 Hanley Rd, Central Point. They're open 10 AM to 2 PM Monday through Friday. The lawn sample should include both healthy and problem areas.
If that's not possible, pictures can also help with a diagnosis.
If sod webworm diagnosis is confirmed, here are a couple good resources to lern more about management. :
Cranberry girdler (Chrysoteucia topiaria)
Larger sod webworm (Pedasia trisecta)
Pest
description and crop damage
The Larger Sod Webworm (LSW) and Cranberry
Girdler (CBG) are larvae of “lawn moths.” The moths are
characterized by wings that are partially folded around the body giving the
moths a very slender appearance as well as a pronounced “snout.” The
LSW is one of the larger webworms with a wingspan of 21–35mm, while the
CBG is smaller with a wingspan of 20–25mm. The wings are usually white,
grey or tan, and may on closer inspection have very beautiful patterns of
silver, gold, copper or other colored scale. Larvae can cause considerable
damage to turf areas if conditions favor their development. However, due to the
high natural mortality of small larvae, damage is seldom severe. Presence of
larvae is indicated by dying back of grass shoots until irregular brown spots
occur. Close examination usually shows leaf blades chewed off at base of
plant.
Biology and life history Webworms overwinter as larvae in the soil. Adults emerge in late May through June. Moths have erratic flight, move freely over lawn about dusk, and are attracted to light. Adults lay eggs shortly after emergence. Eggs hatch in 5–14 days and the young larvae feed on the tender young grass leaves, spinning a protective silky web. As the larvae mature, they construct subterranean burrows and feed only at night. CBG will burrow into the crown and feed on plant roots, and is often referred to as the subterranean webworm. In the PNW, the larval stage lasts through the winter and may involve as many as 8 instars.
Scouting and thresholds Worms or worm droppings can be detected by breaking apart a section of dying sod. Thresholds for larval numbers have not been established in the PNW.
Management—biological control
Disease, insect predators and especially bird predation exact a very high toll on larvae, and collectively reduce larval populations up to 90%. 1. (Bacillus thuringiensis)
2. beneficial nematodes—Read label carefully for application procedures, timing and appropriate soil temperatures for best efficacy. Management—chemical control: Home use To protect bees, mow lawns before treatment to remove any bloom that might attract them.
Insecticides listed below are to prevent larval injury to lawns. The insecticides will not greatly reduce the number of moths present at the time of application. Moths will migrate into treated lawns from surrounding areas. Do not permit children or pets on the treated turfgrass until it has been watered to wash the insecticide into the turf and the grass is completely dry. Most insecticides are toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or to residues on blooming weeds/ flowers in lawns: mow and remove clippings prior to applying insecticides.
If possible, you should take one or more of the moths and a sample of the lawn to Jackson County Master Gardener Plant Clinic at 569 Hanley Rd, Central Point. They're open 10 AM to 2 PM Monday through Friday. The lawn sample should include both healthy and problem areas.
If that's not possible, pictures can also help with a diagnosis.
If sod webworm diagnosis is confirmed, here are a couple good resources to lern more about management. :
- Sod Webworm Management in Lawns at http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2011.html
- Turf Grqass, Sod Webworms at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r785301011.html
Turfgrass—Sod
webworm
Includes
Cranberry girdler (Chrysoteucia topiaria)
Larger sod webworm (Pedasia trisecta)
Biology and life history Webworms overwinter as larvae in the soil. Adults emerge in late May through June. Moths have erratic flight, move freely over lawn about dusk, and are attracted to light. Adults lay eggs shortly after emergence. Eggs hatch in 5–14 days and the young larvae feed on the tender young grass leaves, spinning a protective silky web. As the larvae mature, they construct subterranean burrows and feed only at night. CBG will burrow into the crown and feed on plant roots, and is often referred to as the subterranean webworm. In the PNW, the larval stage lasts through the winter and may involve as many as 8 instars.
Scouting and thresholds Worms or worm droppings can be detected by breaking apart a section of dying sod. Thresholds for larval numbers have not been established in the PNW.
Management—biological control
Disease, insect predators and especially bird predation exact a very high toll on larvae, and collectively reduce larval populations up to 90%. 1. (Bacillus thuringiensis)
2. beneficial nematodes—Read label carefully for application procedures, timing and appropriate soil temperatures for best efficacy. Management—chemical control: Home use To protect bees, mow lawns before treatment to remove any bloom that might attract them.
Insecticides listed below are to prevent larval injury to lawns. The insecticides will not greatly reduce the number of moths present at the time of application. Moths will migrate into treated lawns from surrounding areas. Do not permit children or pets on the treated turfgrass until it has been watered to wash the insecticide into the turf and the grass is completely dry. Most insecticides are toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment or to residues on blooming weeds/ flowers in lawns: mow and remove clippings prior to applying insecticides.
1. bifenthrin
2. cyfluthrin
3. imidacloprid
4. spinosad A&D
2. cyfluthrin
3. imidacloprid
4. spinosad A&D