St. Augustine grass is the most seriously injured, but other lawn grasses are also subject to attack. Chinch bug infestations and damage are most often first noticed during hot dry periods in sunny areas of the lawn. Sod webworms are caterpillars of small brown to dull gray moths. They are covered with fine hairs. They fold their wings closely about their bodies when at rest and have a prominent forward projection on the head.
Moths hide in shrubbery or other sheltered spots during the day.
They fly over the grass in early evening. The female scatters eggs over the lawns as she flies. Sod webworms feed only at night. Damaged grass blades appear notched on sides and are chewed raggedly. Irregular brown spots are the first signs of damage.