I was in hay fields last week working on Bermuda Stem Maggot trials for our post doc Dr. Lisa Baxter. While in the fields I had to use a sweep net to capture stem maggot flies to help estimate numbers. While sampling for flies I was finding army worm numbers well above threshold. See Pics below
UGA extension forage scientist Dr. Dennis Hancock says if we are close to harvest a pyrethroid may be our most economical option. But we have many options and here is a link to the UGA pest control him book on armyworm:
Bermuda Stem Maggots are here and every producer I have talked to is treating for them. Just a reminder for Bermuda Stem Maggot Control, the use of a pyrethroids labeled for forage use around 10 days after the previous cutting appears to be the best strategy for control. Sometimes a second application 10 days later will be beneficial, particularly if the forage is growing more slowly. Here are some photos I took last week of some sticky traps we are implementing to try to get an idea on what time of day will be best to spray for flies.
You can see the golden brown tops of the stems that have been hit by stem maggots.
Things do not always go as planned. A neighboring dog decided to take my steaks I had placed in the hay field and relocate them by the gate. Before he left he got a few chews in on the stick.
Good help can be hard to find. I had some of the best help around while sweeping for flies.