Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) The fall armyworm feeds primarily on corn but will also feed on cotton, alfalfa, clover, peanuts, grasses, tobacco, and many garden crops. The shanks and ears of corn are often extensively damaged by larvae boring.

The fall armyworm is one of the most challenging pests to control in field corn, and can only be efficiently controlled when larvae are small. The moths have dark gray forewings mottled with light and dark spots and grayish white hind wings. Females lay up to 1000 eggs at a time. The larvae range from a light tan to black color with three light yellow stripes down their back and have a white inverted “y” on the front of their heads.

Photo courtesy of Clemson University Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service.

For control products and more information please see our Caterpillars and Moths Control page.