True armyworms sighted; scout now to avoid damage

University of Missouri Extension agronomists in south central, southwestern and northwestern Missouri have reported sightings of true armyworms.

“Farmers should be scouting pastures, wheat and corn fields for true armyworms to avoid damage,” Sarah Kenyon, MU Extension agronomy specialist in West Plains, said in a news release. “Dusk or dawn is the best time to scout for the insect because the young larvae feed at night. During the heat of day, they will hide under plant debris on the ground.”

True armyworm larvae have an orange stripe along each side of the body and a dark spot or triangle on each of the abdominal prolegs located in the center of the body. The head is brown with honeycomb markings.