Insecticide For Fall Armyworm

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a type of moth native to Africa and was introduced to the United States in 1963 after it was used as a biological control agent against insects that preyed upon soybeans. Since its introduction, the caterpillar species has traveled around the world and been known to infest more than 300 plant species.

Insecticide For Fall Armyworm

Several species of armyworms can be found in the Midwest each year. However, the development of economically damaging populations depends on a number of factors such as; cropping practices, date of planting, insect migration patterns, parasites and predators, weather conditions, etc. Fall armyworm moths are attracted to extremely late planted corn, which normally can sustain considerable damage from this pest.

Adult (moths)Adult (moths)
Photo by University of Nebraska

The fall armyworm moth has dark gray, mottled forewings with light and dark splotches, and a noticeable white spot near the extreme end of each. Newly hatched larvae are green in color and move in a looping motion. Fall armyworm larvae are smooth-skinned and vary in color from light tan or green to nearly black. They have three yellow-white hairlines down their backs. On each side of their bodies and next to the yellow lines is a wider dark stripe. Next to that is an equally wide, wavy, yellow stripe, splotched with red. Full-grown larvae are about 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) long.

Note characteristic Y-shaped marking between eyesNote characteristic Y-shaped marking between eyes
Photo by J. Obermeyer

To differentiate this larva from other armyworm species or corn earworm one needs to look at the head of the insect. The fall armyworm’s head has a predominant white, inverted Y-shaped suture between the eyes.

Moths are typically attracted to fields of late-maturing corn to lay their eggs. The larvae are primarily daytime feeders. They appear in corn fields late in the season, from mid-July through harvest. Fall armyworm, unlike armyworm, are typically found damaging corn in patches throughout a field.

Fall Armyworm Life Cycle

Whorl damageWhorl damage
Photo by Purdue University

Damage

Larvae feed on corn leaves and may attack the tassels and/or ears of corn. Their damage appears as ragged-edged holes on leaves, tassels and/or ears. Severe feeding may give the appearance of corn that has been damaged by hail.

Sampling Method

Scouting for fall armyworm is necessary only in fields where larvae or their damage are noted. Sampling should be conducted in 5 areas of a field. In each of the 5 areas, randomly select a plant as the first of a sample set of 20 consecutive plants. Carefully examine each plant to determine the number of damaged plants in each sample set. From these numbers, determine the percentage of plants damaged in the field. Also note the number of larvae observed and estimate their size (length). Finally, estimate the percentage of the field infested (eg., if 5 acres of a 50 acre field have larvae present, report it as 10% infested) and note the location of the infestation. Since some infestations may be outside the sample area (e.g., areas between sampling spots, border rows, waterways, etc.) with damage should be noted and evaluated.

Fall armyworm may be found feeding during daylight hours, and they typically are found scattered throughout a field. Besides feeding on leaves, they may attack the tassels and/or ears of corn.

Management Guidelines

Corn Insect Control Recommendations: E-series 219-W (PDF)

The application of an insecticide is usually not economical for control of the fall armyworm. However, it may be necessary if the infestation is extremely severe and/or the plants are under stress. In such cases, if 75% of the plants exhibit whorl feeding damage and larvae are less than 1-1/4 inches (31 mm) long, and the plants are under stress, treatment may be advisable. If high levels of damage are noted in isolated areas of a field, spot treatments may be warranted. Consider when applying controls that fall armyworm frass (excrement) becomes so heavy that it can create a “plug” which prevents penetration of the insecticide into the whorl where the larvae may be feeding.

If control is necessary, contact your state Cooperative Extension Service or click here for control materials and rates.

IPM Tip Fall Armyworm

Insecticide For Fall Armyworm

The Fall Armyworm, or Spodoptera frugiperda, is a caterpillar that can be found in the United States and Mexico. The caterpillar is typically light green with a black head and has six yellow spots on each side of its body. It grows up to one inch long and has a brown head capsule.

The Fall Armyworm usually attacks corn and sorghum crops, but it can also be found attacking other crops like cotton, soybeans, wheat, rice, potatoes and many others.

The larvae are known to eat through the stems of plants as they grow larger. It is important to keep your crops protected from this pest as soon as possible so that you do not lose any crops due to feeding damage caused by these caterpillars.

There are many products available at garden centers that will help keep your plants safe from this pest including insecticides such as Sevin XLR Plus Insecticide or Entrust SC Insecticide which contain pyrethroid active ingredients which work well against this particular pest species

List Of Insecticide For Fall Armyworm

Cutter 61067 HG-61067 32Oz Rts Bug Free Spray, 1 pack, Silver Bottle
Price : $8.97 ($0.28 / Ounce)
Features :

  • KILLS FAST: Kills mosquitoes, listed ant types, fleas and other listed insects
  • QUICKFLIP HOSE-END SPRAYER: Hose-end-sprayer activates spray at the flip of a switch – just grip, flip and go
  • LASTS ALL SUMMER: Controls up to 12 weeks against house crickets, carpenter ants, harvester ants, lady beetles and earwigs
  • COVERAGE: Treats up to 5,000 square feet of lawn
  • NO MIXING REQUIRED: Attach the sprayer to a garden hose to treat your lawn, landscape and outdoor surfaces where insects hide

Additional Info :

Color Silver Bottle
Item Dimensions
Height 11.5 Inches
Width 2 Inches
Length 5.25 Inches
Weight 1.08 Pounds
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2: With Comfort Wand, Kills Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Fleas & Ticks, Odor Free, 1.1 gal.
Price : $14.49 ($0.10 / Fl Oz)
Features :

  • Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
  • KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
  • KEEPS BUGS OUTSIDE: Creates a bug barrier that will kill bugs you have and prevents new bugs for up to 12 months (applies to ants, roaches and spiders indoors on non-porous surfaces)
  • NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
  • WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside

Additional Info :

Color White
Item Dimensions
Height 4.88 Inches
Width 12 Inches
Length 8.95 Inches
Weight 0.73 Pounds
Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide - Fungus Control, Fast Acting, Treats up to 5,000 sq. ft., 10 lb.
Price : $19.47
Features :

  • Don’t let brown spots or mildew block your path to a beautiful yard; Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide is a fast-acting formula that stops and prevents 26 common lawn-blemishing diseases
  • PREVENTS AND CONTROLS: This lawn fungus treatment is preventative when used on lawns to control brown spots and rings before they appear, and curative when applied on lawns showing signs of disease
  • CURES 26 LAWN DISEASE TYPES: Offers broad spectrum disease prevention and control against Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, Powdery Mildew, Necrotic Ring Spot, Summer Patch, Yellow Patch and more listed diseases
  • FAST ACTING: Starts working in 24 hours of treatment; the systemic fungicide formula controls common broad spectrum diseases for up to 4 weeks
  • USE WITH CONFIDENCE: Apply this lawn fungus control with a Scotts spreader at a uniform coverage; a 10 lb. bag can treat up to 5,000 sq. ft.; people and pets may re-enter treated area after application

Additional Info :

Color for Brown Patch, Yellow Patch, stem and Stripe Rust, Red Thread, and More As Listed
Item Dimensions
Height 9.5 Inches
Width 13 Inches
Length 2.5 Inches
Weight 7 Pounds
The Toxicology and Biochemistry of Insecticides
Price : $102.81
Features :

  • CRC Press

Additional Info :

Item Dimensions
Height 9.99998 Inches
Width 1.05 Inches
Length 6.999986 Inches
Weight 1.8959754532 Pounds
Release Date 2014-11-27T00:00:01Z
Bifen IT 128oz- Bifenthrin Insecticide Same as Talstar Pro
Price : $62.61
Features :

    Additional Info :

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