Home >
Fall Armyworms
The fall armyworm is the worm phase of a small moth common to our area.
It is damaging during this worm phase that it creates so much damage. You should be on the lookout for this pest, especially if you bermudagrass.
You may recognize the fall armyworm by the following ways:
- A white "Y" on the head.
- 3 yellow stripes down the back.
- A dark band on either side of the stripe.
- Prominent tubercles on the back.
The most common damage on most turf is defoliation. Early damage to turfgrasses shows up as a loss
of chlorophyll. A lawn may be defoliated in only 3 days. In this short time the larva reach maturity.
Unless the plant damage is severe, most turf recovers in a 1 to 2 week period.
When army worms are full grown they are about 1 1/3 inches in length. They may be tan, green or black. The larval stage varies from 12 days to 40 days, depending upon the season. A frost usually kills the larvae.
Tupelo: 844-9006
