Pictured: True armyworm larva. Photo by K. Hamilton DATCP
The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Pest Survey Program says armyworms are starting to appear. The agency recommends scouting in June.
The True Armyworm Network has concluded its tenth week of monitoring moth flights. Pheromone traps captured 231 moths during the current reporting period and a cumulative total of 7,825 moths in 54 traps (average of 145 per trap) since trapping started on April 1. The highest individual trap counts reported this spring have been in the southwest and south-central regions, in Dane, Grant, Green, and Jefferson counties.
In addition to trap monitoring, DATCP’s alfalfa and wheat surveys in central and southeastern Wisconsin this week found low numbers of small true armyworm larvae in scattered fields. Sweep net counts were well below economic levels at 1.0-6.5 larvae per 100 sweeps and the caterpillars observed were less than one inch-long as of June 5.
While it is impossible to know if or where armyworm infestations will emerge based on trap data and recent sweep net counts, now is the time of year when first-generation armyworms are reaching the larger development stages when most feeding occurs. Severe damage to corn and small grains can appear seemingly overnight, making routine scouting and early detection of emerging problems particularly important through the end of the month.
Get connected with the Pest Survey Program: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/PestSurvey.aspx
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