Light green to black, striped, white inverted Y on front of head. Up to 1 and 1/2 inches long.
Lettuce, beans, cabbage, cowpea, celery, corn, cucumber, peanut, potato, tomato and spinach.
Feeds chiefly on grasses and grains but may attack the foliage of lettuce and cabbage and related crops.
East of Rocky Mountains except in extreme northern sections.
Fall armyworms overwinter in the Gulf Coast area and migrate north in late summer. Newly arrived moths lay eggs on leaves, from which tiny larve hatch in about a week. Larvae feed for about 2 to 2 1/2 weeks before entering the soil where they pupate for about 2 weeks. The second generation of moths rarely lay eggs near the site of their emergence, normally continuing on a northern migration route.
For sweet corn treatment is warranted if 15% of plants in a vulnerable stage (whorl, tasselling) are infested.
After harvest, plow under soil to destroy pupae.
Bacillus thuringiensis , or Bt, (Bactur, Dipel, SOK BT, Thuricide) 2.0 to 3.0 tbsp in 1 gallon water. Bacillus thuringiensis will work but its results are not quickly observable; caterpillars get sick the first day and die later. It is not necessary to wait before harvesting after an application of Bt. Parasitic enemies (ichneumon, braconid and chalcid wasps and a tachinid fly) are numerous and usually reduce populations naturally. Predators include ground beetles and birds.
For corn: Treat with a registered when "window pane" feeding damage appears on leaves of young corn or in whorls of older corn.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA)