Fall Armyworms
Fall Armyworms are on the march. Decisions will need to be made quickly. If they are above the thresholds in the morning you need to spray before evening.
The fall armyworm is a common pest of bermudagrass, sorghum, corn, wheat and ryegrass and many other crops in north and central Texas. Armyworms are very small (1/8 inch) at first, cause little plant damage and as a result infestation often go unnoticed. Larvae feed for 2-3 weeks and full-grown larvae are about 1 to 1-1/2 inches long. Given their immense appetite, great numbers, and marching ability, fall armyworms can damage entire fields or pastures in a few days.
Fall armyworm outbreaks in pastures and hay fields often occur following a rain which apparently creates favorable conditions for eggs and small larvae to survive in large numbers. Hay fields with a dense canopy and vigorous growth are often more susceptible to armyworm infestations than less intensely fertilized and managed fields. Irrigated fields are also susceptible to fall armyworm infestations, especially during drought conditions. Also monitor weedy grasses in ditches and around fields which may be a source of armyworms that can move into the adjacent crop.
The density of armyworms sufficient to justify insecticide treatment depends on the stage of crop growth and value of the crop. Seedling plants can tolerate fewer armyworms than established plants. Infestations of more than 2-3 armyworms (1/2 or longer) per square foot may justify an insecticide application. If practical, apply insecticides early in the morning or late in the evening when armyworm larvae are most active and therefor most likely to come into contact with the insecticide spray. If the field is near harvest, an early harvest, rather than an insecticide treatment, is an option.
If you need and insecticide spray go to the following fact sheet. https:// foragefax. tamu. edu/files/2018/08/ Armyworm- Fact- Sheet-2018. pdf
Wildlife Management Exemption Program There will be an educational program Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the Courthouse Annex lll, 222 East College Street, Stephenville, TX 76401.
“Maintaining Your Low Property Taxes with Wildlife Management” presented by Plateau Land & Wildlife Management.
Please RSVP at Phone# (512)894-3479 or www. plateauwildlife.com/ event- directory/