There has been some calls on checking some wheat, rye, and oats cover crop/grazing where bare spots in the field have been noticed.
Several fields of cover crop/grazing have been checked this week and we have seen a high population of armyworms (fall, yellowstriped, beet, southern) feeding extensively in the areas that are almost bare, and spreading from that area outward.
The recommended threshold for these armyworms are when larval populations of any one or combination of species exceed 3 larvae per square foot.
The temperatures are getting lower, slowing down the armyworm generation time. This could be the last generation with the colder weather coming. If you have large larvae you could let them cycle out, with them not laying any more eggs.
If you have a high pressure of smaller larvae and are at threshold….
Some recommended insecticide options would be:
Prevathon (chlorantraniliprole)
Warrior II (lambda cyhalothrin)
Mustang Maxx (zeta-cypermethrin)
Dimilin (diflubenzuron) (best for small larvae if standalone)
Applying later in the afternoon-evening is good timing, and the more volume of water (GPA) used is best for better coverage for the contact insecticides.
Please contact us if you would like us to check your fields and determine severity of armyworm pressure, or if you have any questions on the product of choice or combination, and rates.
