This spring in Naples FL we have had a fairly widespread outbreak of a St. Augustinegrass turf-attacking caterpillar, the TSW: tropical sod webworm (Herpetogramma phaeopteralis).
This may have been because of the cold weather killing a parasite or predator (“attack” insect) that normally keeps this turf-eating caterpillar in check. Or it just may be part of the natural life cycle peaks and valleys of most insect populations.
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