Texas grain farmers need to be on the lookout for a tiny pest that could cause big problems in their small grains.
Spring and summer rains following drought conditions has led to an explosion of armyworms, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologist Dr. Allen Knutson.
“Given their immense appetite, great numbers and marching ability, fall armyworms can damage entire fields or pastures in a few days,” Knutson wrote in a recently updated factsheet on the pest, “The Fall Armyworm–Pest of Pasture and Hay–2015.”
Armyworms are easier to control when they’re caught early.
Knutson encourages growers to scout for the pests in the early morning when it’s cool and cloudy.
“The key to managing fall armyworms is frequent inspection of fields to detect fall armyworm infestations before they have caused economic damage. Once larvae are greater than three-quarters of an inch long, the quantity of foliage they eat increases dramatically,” he said. “During their final two to three days of feeding, armyworms consume 80 percent of the total foliage consumed during their entire development.”
Additional information on armyworm detection and control can be found here: http://bit.ly/1LLdS8t