Fall Armyworm– Spodoptera frugiperdaCommon Name: Fall Armyworm
Latin Name: Spodoptera frugiperda
Appearance:
The fall armyworm moth has dark grey, mottled forewings with pale and dark splotches and a noticeable white patch towards the end of each. Larvae that have just hatched are green and move in a looping pattern.
The larvae of the fall armyworm have smooth skin and range in colour from pale tan or green to nearly black. Their backs feature three yellow-white hairlines. A larger black stripe runs along either side of their bodies, next to the yellow lines. Next to it is a broad, wavy yellow band with red splotches.
Larvae are roughly 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) in length when fully mature. Look at the insect’s head to distinguish this larva from other armyworm species or corn earworms. The head of the autumn armyworm bears a prominent white, inverted Y-shaped suture between the eyes.
Host plant:
The larvae of the fall armyworm eat over 350 plant species, with a preference for grasses. Cotton, maize, sugarcane, rice, sorghum, wheat, and vegetable crops such as sweet corn are important hosts.
Territory:
Fall armyworm is native to the Americas’ tropical and subtropical climates. Fall armyworm is now found in Australia. It has been discovered in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and New South Wales.
Damages caused by Fall Armyworm
Corn leaves are the preferred food source for larvae, but they can also damage the plant’s tassels and ears if they get a chance. Rough-edged holes can be seen in the affected leaves, tassels, and ears. Severe feeding might make maize look like it’s been hit by hail.
Life history and Habits:
The life cycle takes about 30 days in the summer, 60 days in the spring and autumn, and 80 to 90 days in the winter. The number of generations that occur in a given location varies depending on the appearance of the dispersing adults. This species cannot survive diapause. There may be just one generation in Minnesota and New York, where autumn armyworm moths emerge in August. According to reports, Kansas has one to two generations, South Carolina has three, and Louisiana has four. Moths are prevalent in coastal parts of north Florida from April to December, but some can be seen even in the winter.
