Ornamental and Turf Pesticide Applicators Practice Exam

How can Sod Webworms be identified?

1. By observing their bright colors

2. Using the soap and water method

3. By their size and shape

4. By their feeding spots on leaves

The correct answer is: Using the soap and water method

Identifying Sod Webworms effectively can be accomplished through the soap and water method. This technique involves applying a mixture of soap and water to the turf, which causes the larvae to emerge from their hiding spots within the soil. This method is particularly useful because Sod Webworms tend to live in silk-lined burrows close to the ground, making them difficult to spot through visual inspection alone. Using the soap solution disrupts their environment, prompting them to surface, thus allowing for accurate identification and assessment of their presence in the lawn. This approach can help distinguish adult moths from larvae and also provides insight into the severity of the infestation. Other methods may include examining the size and shape characteristics or the presence of feeding spots on the leaves, but they may not be as reliable or efficient as the soap and water technique.