Do you see a small creature in your grass area and think it’s just a caterpillar? Well, you could be wrong. It could be an armyworm, which is terrible for your lawn. This article will explain the differences between the two so that you can decide your next lawn care steps.
First, let’s talk about simple monarch caterpillars. Monarch caterpillars are the beginning stages of Monarch Butterflies. The easiest way to determine that the creature is a monarch caterpillar is by the color. Monarch caterpillars have yellow, black, and white horizontal stripes. They also have long antennae. Monarch caterpillars are also a little larger than the armyworm.
Next, let’s talk about the armyworm. Armyworms are the beginning stages of moths. Armyworms can be a dark brown color or green and have vertical stripes that vary in color. The stripes can be green, orange, black, or other various colors. The heads of the armyworms can be a shade of brown or red and they do not have long antennae like the monarch caterpillar.
Why are armyworms bad for your lawn? armyworms can destroy an entire lawn and leave it colorless. The armyworms come in packs and will feed on your lawn until one day you notice that your lawn looks brown like it has chemical stress. Some armyworms, particularly the Fall ones, now prefer Bermuda grass but most will still go after Zoysia grass, Fescue, and more. Because the effects of their work show up after the damage is already done, it’s best for you to report seeing one in your lawn immediately.
If you notice that you have these terrible armyworms in your lawn, there are a few steps you can take. One is that you can go to your local store and look for an insecticide. But be careful because the same pesticides that kill the armyworms will likely kill other caterpillars like the monarch. Another step you can take is to contact us at theothersidelawnservice.com and we will do our best to respond to you in a timely manner.