ARMYWORM

Identification & Incidence: The larva is green to brown and has stripes on each side of it's body. Full grown larvae are almost 1½ inches in length. Larva feed at night and hide in the soil debris during the day. Infestations tend to occur more often during wet spring seasons.

Sampling: Sample several areas of the wheat field and count the number of larvae per row foot collecting several larva to make a size determination.

Economic Threshold: A rescue treatment is warranted if 6 or more armyworm larvae are found per 1 ft of row or if head cutting occurs prior to flowering. Where larvae are abundant enough to justify action, treatment should be applied when larvae are in the early stage of development.

Management Options: There are a number of natural enemies that may keep the armyworm in check. Check for these natural enemies before any treatment is applied. See chart for insecticides labeled for CAW on wheat.

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Corn, Soybean, Wheat, and Alfalfa Field GuideBulletin 827