Burrowing Sod Webworm
Acrolophus popeanellus (Clemens), Acrolophidae, LEPIDOPTERA

DESCRIPTION

Adult -- This moth is variable in size and coloration. The forewings are predominantly yellowish or grayish-brown with a paler border along the folds and inner margins. Irregular dark brown spots are usually present but may be obscure. The hind wings are yellowish to bronzy-brown. Wingspan ranges from 25 to 38 mm. The labial palps of the male are large, hairy, and recurved over the head and thorax.

Egg -- No description available.

Larva -- The grayish- or dirty-white larva has a brown head capsule and measures 20 to 30 mm long when full-grown.

Pupa -- The brown, chitinized pupa is 15 to 20 mm long.

BIOLOGY

Distribution -- Primarily tropical insects, burrowing sod webworms range from South America northward into the United States. They occur in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, northward through Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, and eastward into Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina and Florida.

Host Plants -- Within the grass family, burrowing sod webworms have a large number of hosts. In addition to infesting the roots of most lawn grasses, these worms also feed on the roots of corn, bromeliads, and orchids.

Damage -- Like sod webworms, burrowing sod webworms sever blades of grass near the thatch line, and feed upon these leaves within the burrow. Closely cut, irregularly shaped spots are indicative of burrowing sod webworm damage. The burrows of this webworm, however, tend to be deep and vertical, whereas other webworms make their burrows nearer the soil surface.

Life History -- Little information concerning the life cycle of burrowing sod webworms is available. Occasionally emerging as early as May, the moths usually do not appear until June or July. Several days after the eggs are laid, larvae emerge. The worms construct burrows, approximately the diameter of a pencil, which extend 15 to 60 cm deep into the ground. Fine, tubular webs mixed with soil particles and frass lead from the lower leaf blades into the burrow. When disturbed, larvae retreat into the burrow.

CONTROL

Refer to state extension service recommendations for specific control information.