How do sod webworms damage turf grass?

• A. They chew off blades near the soil and expose the crown to sunlight
• B. They feed on roots only
• C. They bore into stems
• D. They create holes by chewing on seed heads

Answer: (A)

Sod webworms damage turf grass by feeding on the leaf blades right at the soil surface. As they chew off these blades near the ground, they remove most of the tissue and can leave the crown exposed to sunlight. That exposure stresses the plant and reduces its ability to photosynthesize, so patches of turf thin or die, creating ragged, brown areas. Since they feed mainly on foliage and do so at night, you often see the damage come to light with morning checks while the insects hide during the day. This pattern fits foliage feeding at the turf surface, not root feeding, stem boring, or seed-head damage, which is why the described effect is the correct one.