The fall armyworm is the caterpillar of a moth that arrives in Georgia almost every year. Even in relatively mild years, the moths, or adults, do not survive our winters. Instead, moths move north from Florida each spring and summer on weather fronts, spreading from south to north until the entire state is re-infested.

Researchers at the University of Georgia say that this process takes several generations of moths, which is why the worms usually appear in late summer and early fall in northern parts of the state.

The Chattooga County Extension Office reported last month that fall army worms have been spotted this year in Chattooga County and is urging landowners to be on the lookout and to spray for the army worms.

An armyworm moth can lay eggs in batches of a few dozen to several hundred, allowing populations to grow rapidly throughout the summer. These eggs hatch after a few days and the caterpillars feed and grow for two to three weeks before pupating. A week or so later, the new adult moth emerges to start the cycle again. In the warm weather of summer, the cycle takes about four weeks to complete with 14 to 17 days spent as caterpillars feeding on the grass.

For more information about army worms, contact the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744.