Fall Armyworm can do Damage to Sports Fields
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August 10, 2015
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The fall armyworm is considered a southern insect pest but is a potential problem during late summer/early fall in the northern United States. The fall armyworm is a persistent pest in the southern United States while in the northern United States its considered a sporadic pest. Considered a tropical pest the fall armyworm has a restricted overwintering area that reaches from south Florida along the gulf coast to southern Texas.
In the northern United States one generation occurs, usually at this time. When fully grown the army worm is about 1.5 inches long. It ranges in color from olive green to light tan, to nearly black, typically with light stripes that run the length of the body. An inverted "Y" is present on the front of the head of the caterpillar.
The caterpiller feeds on turf shoots and in some instances litteraly looks like an army moving across the turf mowing down turfgrass plants.