Fall Armyworm Injury

Source: USDA

Source: USDA

Symptoms:

Unlike the corn earworm, the fall armyworm feeds by burrowing through the husk on the side of the ear. Larvae also enter at the base of the ear, feeding along the sides and even tunneling into the cob. They usually emerge at the base of the ear, leaving round holes in the husks.

 

Cause:

Fall Armyworm

 

Management:

Scout to determine if insecticide treatment may be necessary. Economic threshold – when 75% of plants show whorl injury, plants stressed and larvae less than 1 ¼ inch long.

 

References:

Bessin, R. 2004. Fall Army worm in corn. University of Kentucky Entomology Factsheet ENTFACT-110. Available at https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef110 [URL verified 3/28/2019].

 

Cook, K. 2005 The University of Illinois The Bulletin Corn Earworm, European Corn Borer, Fall Armyworm, or Western Bean Cutworm: Which One Is Causing the Injury I’m Finding on My Corn Ears? No. 23 Article 4/October 7, 2005. Available at http://bulletin.ipm.illinois.edu/?p=3730 [URL verified 3/28/2019].