Insecticide For Armyworms

When an infestation of army worms occurs, insecticides are required to destroy them. Some of the common chemicals used as insecticides on army worms are malathion and fenitrothion. Fenitrothion is preferred because malathion is a contact poison. This means it can only kill the worms that come in contact with it, whereas fenitrothion works as a stomach poison and spreads into the whole plant system, says Vardhini Nampur Rc.

Insecticide For Armyworms

Although armyworms outbreaks are memorable when they occur, in reality, the outbreaks are usually small in scope. Weather and multiple natural enemies usually act together to keep populations under control. Parasites such as wasps and flies are very effective against armyworms. Predators, such as ground beetles, are also effective in limiting outbreaks. Birds, skunks and rodents also consume large numbers of larvae and pupae. Diseases such as insect viruses and fungi can also be important.

Sometimes weather conditions occur that favor armyworms. High egg survival of fall armyworms is favored by above-average rains in August and September. Because armyworm moths are strong fliers, outbreaks can also occur when storms move the moths and allow them to escape natural enemies. Armyworms should be controlled when they occur in large numbers or plant damage is becoming excessive.

Armyworms should be controlled when they occur in large numbers or plant damage is becoming excessive. This will be apparent in turfgrass by examining the grass blades. Damaged areas of lawns appear off-color and eventually turn brown as damage progresses from small windowpane strips of damaged leaf tissue to destruction of entire leaves. Armyworms feed any time of the day or night, but are most active early in the morning or late in the evening.

Treat with a labeled insecticide when leaf damage becomes evident and large numbers of caterpillars are visible. Effective, low-impact insecticides include halofenozide (small caterpillars only) and spinosad. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products are widely available and will selectively control small armyworm larvae without harm to beneficial insects; however, Bt residues does not last on turf for more than 1-2 days. Conventional insecticide choices for armyworms in lawns include bifenthrin, carbaryl, esfenvalerate, permethrin and others.

Insecticide For Armyworms

Army worm is a common pest of cotton, corn, sorghum and many other crops. It is widely distributed throughout the world and can be found in almost all states in the United States. Army worms have a wide host range and feed on over 300 species of plants. They are often confused with cutworms which are similar in appearance but have a distinct difference in behavior.

Army worms do not overwinter in the soil like cutworms and are therefore more likely to be observed during the warmer months of the year. The larvae feed on leaves and stems, causing damage to plants by removing large portions of tissue from stems and leaves, thus reducing production yields.

The adult armyworm is a medium-sized moth with brownish-gray forewings marked with black lines that give it the appearance of being segmented like an insect’s body. Moths lay eggs which hatch into larva that resemble caterpillars but have no legs or prolegs (additional legs). These larvae feed on plants until they mature into adults then mate and lay eggs before dying off in less than two weeks time span

List Of Insecticide For Armyworms