Lawn · SWFL Pest Identifier
Tropical Sod Webworm
Worth a pro look Damage or health risk grows quickly once established.
How to identify it
- Small tan moths flush up when you mow
- Grass blades notched and chewed, patches look scalped
- Damage appears fast in late summer
Size
Small (grain of rice)
Where you'll see it
Lawn / garden
Looks like
Worm / caterpillar · Lawn damage
Did you know
The moths do zero damage — it’s their caterpillars feeding at night that shear the lawn.
What it means for you
Late-summer classic. Treated early, the lawn regrows quickly.
Not sure this is your bug?
Text a photo and a licensed local tech will identify it for free — or run it through the interactive identifier.
Similar lawn in SWFL
Southern Chinch Bug
Worth a pro lookYellowing patches that start in the sunniest, driest spots and spread
Mole Cricket
Worth a pro lookRaised, meandering surface tunnels like mini mole runs
Fall Armyworm
Worth a pro lookLawn browns in patches seemingly overnight
White Grub
Worth a pro lookTurf lifts like loose carpet — roots are gone
Dealing With This One?
Get a real price online in about 60 seconds — or text us a photo first and we'll tell you honestly whether it even needs treatment.