Are Fall Armyworms Eating Your Lawn?
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Collapse ▲Over the past few weeks Fall Armyworms have made their presence known over many areas in North Carolina and within Pamlico County. These insects can feed on many different crops but are of particular nuisance in turfgrass as their feeding can significantly damage a lawn. If you have noticed an ever increasing “browning” of your yard, now is a good time to get down in the dirt and look for fall armyworms.
Turfgrass eaten by fall armyworms. The browning of the lawn indicates significant feeding by these pests.
Fall armyworms that attack turf in North Carolina likely overwintered as pupae in Florida. As the adults emerge from their pupal cases, they migrate northward throughout the spring and summer. In mid-summer (July), female moths lay eggs in clusters on the surface of structure and vegetation. They will also lay eggs on flat surfaces of neighboring residential structures (posts, signs, buildings), particular those areas adjacent to night lights. One moth can lay as many as 1,000 eggs, which hatch within 2-10 days. As the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the remains of the egg mass then drop to the soil surface to search for food. Unlike other caterpillar species, fall armyworms will feed day or night, but are usually most active early in the morning or late in the evening. In large populations, fall armyworms can consume all the foliar tissue available and crawl in “armies” to nearby crops or turf stands. After the larvae feed for 2-3 weeks, they dig into the soil and pupate. Within two weeks, a new population of moths emerges. Several generations occur each year in North Carolina and earlier infestations tend to occur following a mild winter.
A close-up of a fall armyworm caterpillar, which is known for feeding on various crops and turfgrass, causing extensive damage.
The adult stage of the fall armyworm. This moth is ready to lay eggs and start the cycle again.
Although armyworms may be better known as agricultural crop pests, they can be a sporadic but serious pest of turfgrasses. Fall armyworm damage in turfgrass is very distinctive. Since armyworms cross the turf surface as a group, they create a noticeable line between damaged and undamaged turfgrass. Usually, damaged areas will originate around a site where egg masses can be easily laid (signposts, buildings) and radiate outward. Although fall armyworms do not have many specific preferences, newly-installed sod is more attractive and more susceptible to damage.
Fall armyworms travel in ‘armies’ searching for fresh turf.
Fall armyworms can be more difficult to control than other caterpillar pests (true armyworms, black cutworms). When possible, mow and lightly irrigate the turf prior to treating. Insecticides are generally ineffective against large larvae so be sure to note the size of the armyworms before making an application. Large larvae are likely to finish feeding and burrow into the soil to pupate so only treat if larvae are relatively small. Pyrethroids (particularly lambda-cyhalothrin) and carbamates (carbaryl), will provide somewhat effective control against smaller larvae. Chlorantraniliprole will also control turf-feeding caterpillars, if applied very early. For specific control information, review the Extension turfgrass note on fall armyworms.
If you have questions about fall armyworm or other lawn related questions, please contact Daniel Simpson at Daniel_simpson@ncsu.edu or 252-745-4121.