Which pest has ivory white caterpillars with small black spots?

Which pest has ivory white caterpillars with small black spots?

• A. Sod webworm
• B. Hairy chinch bug
• C. Bluegrass billbug
• D. European chafer

Answer: (A)

Recognizing the pest by its larval appearance helps identify turf issues. Ivory white caterpillars with small black spots are characteristic of sod webworm larvae, which are the caterpillar stage of a moth. These larvae chew on grass blades, often feeding at night and sometimes leaving webbing or damaged patches at the turf surface. The other pests listed are not caterpillars: hairy chinch bug nymphs and adults are true bugs that suck on the plant rather than chew blades; bluegrass billbug larvae are grub-like with a brown head and feed inside crowns or roots; European chafer larvae are white grubs feeding on roots. So the distinctive pale caterpillars with tiny black spots point to sod webworm.

Recognizing the pest by its larval appearance helps identify turf issues. Ivory white caterpillars with small black spots are characteristic of sod webworm larvae, which are the caterpillar stage of a moth. These larvae chew on grass blades, often feeding at night and sometimes leaving webbing or damaged patches at the turf surface. The other pests listed are not caterpillars: hairy chinch bug nymphs and adults are true bugs that suck on the plant rather than chew blades; bluegrass billbug larvae are grub-like with a brown head and feed inside crowns or roots; European chafer larvae are white grubs feeding on roots. So the distinctive pale caterpillars with tiny black spots point to sod webworm.