What is causing this lawn to turn brown even though it has received over 5 inches of rain so far this month?
Lawn is infested with fall armyworms (Spodotera frugiperda).
Justin Ballew, ©2024, Clemson Extension
This lawn is infested with fall armyworms (Spodotera frugiperda). In just a few days, the armyworms ate all the leaf blades, leaving little more than just stems. While multiple species of warm-season grasses are affected, bermudagrass started showing damage first and seems to be the most significantly affected. Pastures and hayfields can be particularly devastated. Fall armyworms are seasonal pests that move in from areas further south, where they can survive the winter. They usually show up in SC in the late summer and complete their life cycle in about a month before disappearing again. Read more about armyworms and find management information here.
Fall armyworms infesting a bermudagrass lawn.
Justin Ballew, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Fall armyworms feeding on bermudagrass leaf blades. If you look carefully, you can find several worms in this photo.
Justin Ballew, ©2024, Clemson Extension
