“The pyrethroid only takes care of the ones that are in the field while the growth inhibitor provides a residual effect that will kill new hatches and any caterpillars that migrate into the field,” she said.
So what should you do if you see armyworms in your yard or garden? The AgriLife Extension specialists say the only way to prevent armyworms is the use of pesticides.Ĭorriher-Olson recommends insecticides labeled specifically for armyworms that also include pyrethroids but notes that a growth inhibitor is also recommended. “I’ve seen entire hay meadows that were consumed overnight.”ĪgriLife Extension entomologist Dalton Ludwick estimates that two armyworms per square foot can consume 84 pounds of foliage per acre based on U.S. “It’s important to act immediately because if armyworms are left unchecked, they can devastate a forage crop in a matter of hours,” Corriher-Olson said. She described armyworms as being “extremely destructive, especially when infestations escalate out of control.” This could be a two-, three- or four-spray situation if forage for hay or grazing is valuable to them,” said Corriher-Olson. “Armyworms are not a ‘spray once and they won’t be a problem’ kind of thing. They also prefer high-quality, fertilized crops and forage that are typically found in fields that are maintained for hay production. The pests are picky eaters and are known to consume Bermuda grass, sorghum, corn, wheat, ryegrass and many other crops throughout Texas. (The French Alternative Energies and Atom)
The armyworm is a pest that eats away at lawns and crops.
When they mature, armyworms can grow up to one inch in length. They get their name from a Latin word, frugiperda, which means lost fruit - an homage to the armyworm’s capability to damage and destroy numerous crops, according to the South African National Biodiversity Institute.Īrmyworms are green and typically have brown and black coloring and an identifiable inverted “Y” on their head, according to the AgriLife Extension. These caterpillars are the larval form of a moth that migrates north in the spring and summer months to lay eggs and according to retired A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist Allen Knutson, armyworm moths can lay up to 2,000 eggs that will hatch in just 2-3 days. it’s hard to imagine they are not everywhere.” The entire day,” said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension forage specialist Vanessa Corriher-Olson said. “I spent all of Friday taking calls on armyworms. SAN ANTONIO – Texas has seen a considerable amount of rain, coupled with cooler-than-usual temperatures this summer but that has left conditions ideal for an infestation of armyworm caterpillars, also known as armyworms.
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