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Fall Armyworm Outbreaks Reported

John Obermeyer

Doug Johnson, University of Kentucky Extension Entomologist, has recently reported in their Pest News of large populations of fall armyworm (FAW) moth captures and now caterpillar infestations. Just in the last couple days, we have received calls from west central and north western Indiana of “worms” devouring forage crops. From their description of the caterpillars and damage of the various crops, it is likely FAW. Just like a very similar species, the armyworm, the behavior is much the same in that they can consume large amounts of foliage as they move enmasse.

Those with late season crops should be inspecting for feeding damage. This is very important for newly seeded forages. Below is listing of high-risk situations, put together by our colleagues Doug Johnson and Patty Lucas at the University of Kentucky:

“So, what is likely to be at risk?  In order of damage potential:

  • Newly seeded grasses of any kind, including but not limited to, the following: grass (wheat & rye) cover crops, grass and mixed grass / alfalfa hay fields, and early planted wheat.
  • Established mixed grass and alfalfa hay, grass forages, lawns, parks and playing fields, etc. This insect really likes Bermuda grass, but fescue can also be hammered, and it has a difficult time recovering in hot dry weather.
  • Possibly very late double crops beans. Soybean is not a preferred food, but FAW will feed on them. The most likely places and the first to be noticed are field edges and waterways of grass, as well as interior of soybean fields that have a significant grass weed population. If the caterpillars are already feeding on grass weeds within a field and the weeds are killed, the caterpillars will move to the beans. Palatable or not, these insects will try to eat anything to stay alive!
  • Full season corn, grain sorghum, and soybeans are probably too mature to be damaged much.”

FAW caterpillars are feeding on alfalfa (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger)

FAW caterpillars are feeding on alfalfa (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger)

Field of alfalfa with severe FAW damage (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger

Field of alfalfa with severe FAW damage (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger)

Field of alfalfa with severe FAW damage (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger

FAW denuded alfalfa plants (Photo credit: Dave Duttlinger)

Source : purdue.edu


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