Utah Ornamental and Turf Pest Control Practice Test

The correct answer encompasses insects that are notably recognized for their detrimental impact on turf, specifically through the consumption of leaves and stems. Sod worms, army worms, and cut worms are all categorized as caterpillars of moths, and they are adept at cutting and damaging grass blades as they feed. This feeding behavior results in visible damage such as discolored patches and dead grass areas in lawns, which signifies their relevance in turf management.

Sod worms tend to create small, irregular brown patches by chewing on the leaf tissue, while army worms can quickly devastate larger areas by consuming both the leaves and the stems of grass plants. Cut worms, often lurking just beneath the soil surface, can sever young grass plants at their bases. Together, these species represent some of the most serious threats to maintaining healthy turf and require careful monitoring and management to mitigate their impact.

While the other options include various insects, they either focus on pests that don't primarily damage turf in the same manner or do not specifically target grass as a food source, making them less relevant in this context.