What's eating my weeping love grass?

Weeping Love Grass is a vigorous, drought-tolerant grass with good pest resistance. Aphids are the most frequent visitor. Armyworm caterpillars can cause significant defoliation during midsummer outbreaks, and rust may appear after wet weather. In some regions, it self-seeds prolifically enough to become a management issue in itself. Deer and rabbits largely avoid it.

Nocturnal caterpillars consume leaf blades rapidly, leaving ragged, stripped foliage across large patches almost overnight. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) or spinosad at first sign of feeding; treat in the evening when larvae are most active.

Colonies on young shoot tips produce honeydew and may attract sooty mould; rarely causes serious harm on vigorous plants. Strong water jet to dislodge; insecticidal soap for heavy build-up; encourage natural predators. Light infestations can be ignored.

Orange to brown powdery pustules on blades in humid or wet conditions; causes yellowing and early senescence of affected leaves. Improve spacing and air circulation; cut back hard in late winter; sulfur or copper fungicide sprays for persistent infections.