Lawn Academy
Red Thread
Laetisaria Fuciformis
Red Thread causes an undesirable appearance, but does not cause long term damage.
Management
Water deeply but infrequently while preventing moisture stress and apply a light application of quick release nitrogen.
Prevention
Avoid late-night watering, reduce shade and increase air flow, and maintain proper cultural practices, such as cleaning off mower to stop the spread of the actual disease itself.
Identification
Causes
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The moth has dark gray and brown wings with white spots at the tip. They have a wingspan of 32 to 40 mm. Average life of about 7 to 21 days. |
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The pupa is reddish brown, and is 14 to 18 mm long and about 4.5 mm wide. This stage last about 8 to 9 days. |
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Fall Armyworms have 6 larval instars. They are smooth and vary in color from light tan or green to black. This stage of development is when most damage is done. |
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Eggs are laid in groups of 100 to 200 with a “fuzzy” appearance. They start out as a pearl green color and darken to a brown color in about 12 hours. The egg stage last for 2 to 3 days. |
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Bean-shaped, off-white colored egg. Approximately 1/16 inch in size. |
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The body is off-white except for the darker reddish head. A fifth-stage larva ranges from 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch. |
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The pupa is initially off-white in color, then darkens to rusty brown and is approximately 5/16 inch in length. It has six legs and wing pads. |
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The adult ranges i color from rusty brown to black and are 1/4 inch to 5/16 inch in length. Their wing covers have a pattern that resembles chains. |
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Referred to as “lawn moths.” 1/2 to 3/5 inches long. When they rest their wings are held flat over the back giving the insect a cylindrical appearance |
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When fully grown they reach 3/4 to 1 inch. Over winter they form in silk-lined tunnels or burrows |
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Pupate in late spring (May-June.) Reddish-brown in color, and normally buried in upper thatch |
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Flat oval, and creamy white in color and turn brownish-red as they mature. Laid on upper surface of grass leaf blade |
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1/6 to 1/5 inch long. Black body with a triangle in the middle of the wings near back with reddish to reddish-yellow legs. |
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Yellow egg with four short projections on the cap at the head end |
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Red body with white stripe behind the wing pads |
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White to dark brown in color. Can reach 3/4 to 1 inch in length. |
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Small, white egg about 1/16 to 1/8 inch. Egg is encased in soil particles and turns dark just before hatching.
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C-shaped body with three legs and brown head.
There are two parallel rows of spines on the last abdominal section.
Fully grown grubs range from 3/4 to 1 7/8 inch
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Hard-shelled beetle 3/4 to 1 inch. Reddish brown or black in color |