![]() Larvae typically go through six instars, except the occasional larva that will go through seven, particularly in cooler temperatures. During the day, they rest at the base of the host plants. The larvae (Figures 1 and 2) feed mainly at night on the leaves and crowns of their hosts. Each pale brown forewing of the moth has a single small white spot.Īdult female armyworms lay tiny, white eggs at night. Eggs are laid in narrow bands of a few to several hundred eggs, in two to five rows, rarely in one row. The eggs hatch in one to two weeks. Lodged plants provide a favourable habitat for moth concealment and egg laying. The moths (Figure 4) are active at night, feeding on nectar, mating, and searching for egg laying sites. Adult moth of armywormįeeding habits: Early instar larvae skeletonize the surface of the leaf blades or the inner surface of the sheath, and later feed from the margins of the leaves, consuming all the tissues. The inflorescence is seldom damaged unless leaf foliage is scarce but in some grasses, notably timothy, the green heads are often consumed by the older larvae even when foliage is abundant. Armyworms do most of their feeding damage to cereals as nearly-mature larvae. Though larvae feed primarily on grasses, broad-leafed plants such as beans, peas, carrots and cabbage may also be fed on.įigure 1. Armyworm larva Figure 2. Armyworm larvae.įig. Armyworms may also feed on field and sweet corn, especially late-planted corn. ![]() ![]() Armyworms feed on oats, wheat, fall rye, barley, and forage grasses. ![]()
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