To proactively manage armyworms, implement good agricultural practices such as:
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.
