Purchase and apply an insecticide that is specifically labeled for chinch bug control. Read and understand all directions on the container label regarding dosage rates, application information and precautions. A correctly applied application should provide control of chinch bugs for 8 - 10 weeks. Lawn caterpillars Several kinds of caterpillars, the immature or larval stage of moths, including sod webworms, armyworms, cutworms and grass loopers may cause damage to all turfgrasses. Bermudagrass is their favorite grass while bahiagrass is the least desirable.
Tropical sod webworms Description - The most damaging caterpillar is the tropical sod webworm.
The larvae are greenish with many black spots. Life Cycle - Eggs are deposited on the grass blades and hatch in about 1 week. Larvae feed on the grass blades and cause noticeable injury within 2 weeks. Adults appear about 1 week later. They complete their life cycle in 5 to 6 weeks and have several generations each year.