Green Cloverworm

Overview

Green cloverworm (Hypena scabra) feed on soybean foliage, leading to defoliation with a significant impact on yield potential. Infestations during the reproductive stages of the soybean crop can be particularly severe, as this is when the plants are most vulnerable. In heavily infested fields, yield losses of up to 40% have been reported.

Closely monitoring soybean fields for any signs of green cloverworm infestation and taking immediate action with products like Willowood Lambda-Cy 1EC** is crucial to mitigate the damage.


How to Identify Green Cloverworm

The larvae of green cloverworm are easily recognizable by their pale green color and distinctive white stripes that run along their bodies. They also possess three pairs of prolegs near their rear end, which sets them apart from other similar pests.

As the larvae mature, they undergo several molts, gradually increasing in size and developing more defined markings. Once they reach adulthood, green cloverworm moths emerge with a wingspan of about one inch. These adult moths are characterized by their brownish-gray coloration, which allows them to camouflage well in their surroundings.

(Image Credit: Image by Daren Mueller, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org)

How to Scout for Green Cloverworm

Farmers should closely monitor crops, particularly the upper canopy, for signs of defoliation, skeletonized leaves, and irregular-shaped leaf holes. Larvae or adult moths may also be noticeable, which are both strong indicators of green cloverworm infestation.

(Image Credit: Phil Sloderbeck, Kansas State University, Bugwood.org)

Regions Affected by Green Cloverworm

Green cloverworm is particularly abundant in the southern and central regions of the U.S., specifically in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Missouri. However, green cloverworm can also be present in other regions, so it’s important to remain vigilant around the country.

When Do Green Cloverworms Affect Crops?

Green cloverworm infestations are most likely to occur during the mid to late season of soybean growth. Larvae emerge in early summer and feed on soybean foliage until late fall.

(Image Credit: Image by Natasha Wright, Braman Termite & Pest Elimination, Bugwood.org)

How to Chemically Manage Green Cloverworm

While pheromone or light traps can sometimes be options to address early stage cloverworm presence, many infestation scenarios require chemical control to effectively manage green cloverworms. 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. 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, but products containing active ingredients such as spinosad or chlorantraniliprole have also shown great results in suppressing green cloverworm populations. These insecticides work by directly killing the pests upon contact or through ingestion, disrupting their feeding and reproductive capabilities, and ultimately reducing their numbers.

Disclaimer

© 2014 - 2024 Farmer's Business Network, Inc. All rights Reserved. The sprout logo, “Farmers Business Network”, “FBN”, “FBN Direct” are trademarks or registered trademarks of Farmer's Business Network, Inc. This content was written by Norm℠, reviewed and edited by Mikaela Tierney.

**RESTRICTED USE PESTICIDE Due to acute toxicity. For retail sale to and use by certified applicators only – NOT to be used by uncertified persons working under the supervision of a certified applicator.

FBN Direct products and services and other products distributed by FBN Direct are offered by FBN Inputs, LLC and are available only in states where FBN Inputs, LLC is licensed and where those products are registered for sale or use, if applicable. If applicable, please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Nothing contained on this page, including the prices listed should be construed as an offer for sale, or a sale of products. All products and prices are subject to change at any time and without notice and excludes CA mills tax and MN ACRRA fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Every product that labels GREEN CLOVERWORM as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Acenthrin™Acephate 90 PrillAcephate 90 Prill Select™Acephate 90 WDGAcephate 90 WSPAcephate 97 WDGAcephate 97UP®Agree® WG Biological InsecticideAmbush® 25WAmbush® InsecticideAnnihilate™ LVAnnihilate™ LV InsecticideAnnihilate™ SPAnnihilate™ SP InsecticideArctic® 3.2 ECAsana® XLAthena™ Insecticide/MiticideAvenger™ Bold S3™Avenger™ S3™Batallion™ 10 WSPBatallion™ 2 ECBatallion™ LFCBaythroid® XLBelt® SCBesiege® InsecticideBi-Dash 2EBifen 2 AG GoldBifen 25% ECBifender® FC InsecticideBifenthrin 2EC InsecticideBifenture® 10DFBifenture® ECBiobit® HP Biological InsecticideBlackhawk® Naturalyte® Insect ControlBolton™Bracket® 90 WDGBracket® 97Bracket® 97 (Soluble Insecticide)Bracket® 97 WDGBrigade® 2EC Insecticide/MiticideBrigade® WSB InsecticideBrigadier® InsecticideBT Now®Capture® LFR®Carbaryl 4LCarbaryl 4LCavalry™ IIChlorpyrifos 4E AG (Adama)Chlorpyrifos 4E-AG (Drexel)Cobalt® AdvancedCobalt® InsecticideConsero®Consero® (Gamma-cyhalothrin)Coragen® Insect ControlCoragen® Insect ControlCrossoverCrossover® ProCrusader 1ECCrusader 2MECrymax® BioinsecticideDanitol® 2.4 EC Spray Insecticide-MiticideDeclare® InsecticideDeclare® InsecticideDeliver® Biological InsecticideDelta Gold®Denim®Diamond®DiflunateDimilin® 25WDimilin® 2LDimilin® 2LDiPel® DF Biological InsecticideDiPel® ES Biological InsecticideDiPel® Pro DF Biological Insecticide Dry FlowableDiscipline® 2ECDoubleTake™Durant 2LDurant™ 2 L IGRElevest™Endigo® ZCEndigo® ZCXEngame™Enkounter™ InsecticideEntrust® Naturalyte Insect ControlEntrust® SC Naturalyte Insect ControlExirel® Insect Control (With Cyazypyr®)Fanfare® 2ECFanfare® ECFanfare® ESFastac® CS insecticideFastac™ EC insecticideFirestone™Frenzy VelozFyfanon® ULV AGFyfanon® ULV AG (67760-35)GCS Bifenthrin 2ECGCS Bifenthrin LFCGCS Methoxy 2FGladiator® Insecticide/MiticideGovern® 4EGrandevo®Grandevo® CGGrandevo® WDGGrizzly® TooGrizzly® Z InsecticideHatchet® InsecticideHero® EWHero® InsecticideHost ECIMAX PlusInspirato™ 2 FInsurgent™Intrepid Edge®Intrepid® 2F InsecticideInvertid 2FJackpot™ WPJavelin® WG Biological InsecticideKaiso® 24 WGKarate® InsecticideKarate® with Zeon™ TechnologyKendo® 22.8 CSKendo™ InsecticideKilter®L - C InsecticideLambda TLambda-Cy AGLambda-Cy™ EC Insecticide-RUPLambdafos™ InsecticideLamcap® IILamcap™Lamdec™ InsecticideLancer® FCLancer™ 2ECLannate® LVLannate® LV InsecticideLannate® SPLannate® SPLanveer LV™Leap® ESLeprotec®Leverage® 360Livid® 90 PrillLivid® 97 PrillLorsban® 75 WGLorsban® Advanced InsecticideLorsban®-4E InsecticideMalathion ULV® ConcentrateMatch-Up™ InsecticideMicromite® 2LMinecto® ProMustang® InsecticideMustang® MaxxNudrin® LVNudrin® SPNufarm Lambda-Cyhalothrin 1EC InsecticideNufos® 4E (RUP)Orthene® 97Paradigm®Paradigm® VCPerm-UP® 25DFPerm-UP® 3.2 ECPermaStar™ AG InsecticidePermethrinPermethrin 3.2 AGPermethrin 3.2 ECPermethrin 3.2 EC (70506-9-5905)Pounce® 25WPPrevathon® (Dupont)Prevathon® (FMC)Proaxis® InsecticideProaxis® InsecticideProaxis™Province® IIProvince™Radiant® SC InsecticideRavage®Renestra™ InsecticideRespect® EC insecticideRespect® insecticideReveal®Reveal® CAReveal® Endurx™S-FenvaloStarSeeker™ Insecticide with Isoclast™ ActiveSeguroSerpent™ 1 ECSevin® 4FSevin® XLR PlusSilencer®Silencer® VXN™Skyraider®SlugbugSniper®Sniper® Helios®Sniper® LFR®Spear®-LepSpear®-RCStallion® BrandSteed® InsecticideSteward® ECSteward® ECSultrus™Swagger®Tailgunner™Tempest™ Dual-Action InsecticideTenkoz® Acephate 97Tenkoz® Permethrin 3.2 ECTepera® PlusTepera® Plus HDTepera® Plus HDTide Acephate 90 WDGTide Diflubenzuron 2SCTombstone™Tombstone™ Helios®Torac®Tracer® Naturalyte® Insect ControlTriple Crown™ InsecticideTroubadour™ 2F InsecticideTundra® EC (1381-196)TurnStyle™ InsecticideUnforgivenVantacor®Venerate® CGVenerate® XCVenerate™Vetica® InsecticideVexer™Voliam Xpress®Vulcan®Warhawk®Warhawk® ClearForm®Warrior II with Zeon Technology®Whirlwind®Willowood Bifenthrin 2ECWillowood Lambda 1ECWillowood Lambda-Cy 1ECXenTari® Biological InsecticideYuma® 4EZylo® InsecticideZyrate®