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Aug 31, 2023
Armyworms, a common agricultural pest, can cause significant damage to plants if left unchecked. Feeding on plant leaves and quickly stripping them away, armyworms leave behind a skeletonized leaf appearance and reduce the plant’s ability to carry out photosynthesis.
While armyworms primarily target grasses and cereal crops, they are also known to attack corn, soybeans and vegetables. In the worst-case scenario, they can even devour the developing ears of corn, leading to a complete crop failure.
This guide will outline:
How armyworms impact crops
How to identify armyworms
Regions typically affected by armyworms
When armyworms usually affect crops
How to manage armyworms through natural agricultural practices and chemical solutions
Adult moths are attracted to late-maturing corn, where they will lay their eggs. Larvae arrive late in the season and feed on corn leaves, causing damage in patches throughout the field that is similar in appearance to that of hail injury.
When armyworms feed on corn plant leaves, they remove significant amounts of leaf tissue, directly impacting the plant's ability to produce energy through photosynthesis. As a result, corn plants impacted by armyworms may experience:
Stunted growth
Reduced ear size
Decrease in overall yield
Newly created entry points for pathogens, leading to the introduction of secondary infections, such as fungal diseases
Armyworms get their name from their behavior of moving in large groups, resembling an army marching across a field.
The pests are typically light green to dark brown in color, with distinct longitudinal stripes running along their bodies. One unique feature to look out for is the inverted "Y" mark on their heads.
When scouting corn for armyworms, look for:
Ragged edges and skeletonized leaves, particularly in the lower canopy
Dark green or black droppings on the leaves or on the ground
The actual larvae themselves, which can often be found curled up in the whorls of the corn plant or hiding in the soil during the day
[RELATED: How to Manage Hail Damaged Corn]
Armyworms can be found in various regions across the United States, but they tend to be more prevalent in the Midwest, Southeast, and parts of the Northeast. These regions provide the ideal conditions for armyworms to thrive, including warm temperatures and a wide range of suitable host plants.
Armyworm infestations can occur at various stages of the corn crop's growth. While they are more frequently observed during the late season, particularly in late summer and early fall, early-season infestations can also occur, especially when the weather is warm and moist.
[RELATED: Here’s How You Can Manage Insects That Overwinter in Your Corn Fields]
To proactively manage armyworms, implement good agricultural practices such as:
Proper crop rotation
Timely planting
Maintaining optimal soil moisture levels
Destroying crop residues
Crop rotation helps disrupt the life cycle of armyworms by planting different crops in successive seasons, reducing the availability of their preferred host plants. Timely planting ensures that crops are at a stage of growth that is less susceptible to armyworm infestations. Maintaining optimal soil moisture levels reduces the likelihood of armyworms by avoiding the creation of a hospitable environment. Finally, destroying crop residues after harvest eliminates potential overwintering sites for armyworms, reducing their population in the following season.
However, these approaches may prove insufficient in some scenarios with a substantial infestation. When deciding whether to employ chemical products to control armyworms, farmers should first assess the severity of the infestation and determine the economic threshold for treatment. Applying an insecticide is usually not economical for control unless larvae are less than 1.25 inch long, plants are under stress and 75% of plants have whorl feeding damage.
After deciding to move forward with a chemical treatment, there are a few insecticide options available. One popular option is Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC*, an insecticide containing lambda-cyhalothrin, which is labeled for use on corn specifically for armyworm control.
Another option is GCS Bifenthrin 2EC*, which is another insecticide containing bifenthrin with similar label applications against armyworms.
Insecticides containing the active ingredient chlorantraniliprole have also shown great efficacy in combating armyworms specifically in corn crops.
Proactively scouting for and responding to pest presence in your fields will help reduce potential crop damage and improve yield. FBN Direct has a wide variety of effective insecticides to help address pest pressures and keep your operation on track.
With transparent pricing, straightforward online ordering, detailed product labels and fast, direct-to-farm delivery, FBN Direct can help you get the products you need to protect your crops.
*Bifenthrin and Lambda-Cyhalothrin are restricted use pesticides.
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Aug 31, 2023