Fall armyworms are confirmed in Chattooga County. Armyworms are by far the dreaded caterpillar in pastures and hayfields, according to Chattooga County Extension Agent Rebecca Thomas.

Thomas says these pests can quickly decimate a field of any forage crop, as they love to feed on the green leaf/grass part of the plant.  Small fall armyworms tend to stay down in the canopy during the day, and their feeding is less damaging and harder to see. The youngest larvae do not eat much but the mature larvae can eat more than all other ages put together. Large fall armyworms are fairly easy to find because of their size. They are typically most active in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler but will feed throughout the day. Most producers will identify fall armyworms at the fully grown larvae stage. They can be up to 1.5 inches long and are light green to nearly black with light and dark stripes that stretch horizontally along the body of the worm. One of their most distinct characteristics is an inverted Y-shape on the head of the worm.

Once these have been confirmed in an area, farmers should scout fields for these pests.   If armyworms are in a hayfield and worms are 3/4 inch or bigger, consider harvesting the hay and avoiding the insecticide application.

If insecticides are required, be sure to follow all label instructions. Insecticides are labelled for specific life stages of the fall armyworm. In general, small caterpillars are easier to control than larger ones and insecticides are only recommended when the fall armyworms are less than ¾” long. Farmers and Producers are encouraged to call the Extension office for specific insecticide recommendations to assist in controlling these pest.