Many species, including
Army cutworm (Chorizagrotis auxillaris)
Armyworm (Pseudaletia unipuncta)
Black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)
Glassy cutworm (Apamea devastator)
Pest description and crop damage Larvae are 1 to 2 inches long at maturity. All, except glassy cutworm and Protagrotis obscura, usually feed above ground on foliage after dark or during conditions of low light intensity.
Management-organic control
- Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (many commercial products, e.g., Dipel) at 0.5 to 2 lb product/A. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Armyworms only. Most effective on small caterpillars, but use highest recommended rate for fully developed ones. Multiple applications may be necessary for effective control. A spreader sticker may improve performance.
- spinosad (Entrust SC) at 4 to 6 oz/A. PHI 0 days for forage; 3 days for hay or fodder. Do not apply more than 3.75 oz of Entrust (0.186 lb ai spinosad) per acre per season or make more than 6 applications per year or 3 applications within 21 days. Follow resistance management guidelines. Armyworms only. OMRI-listed for organic use.
Management-chemical control
- beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL) at 0.013 to 0.015 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days for grazing or 7 days for hay. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.089 lb ai/A per season. Armyworms only.
- bifenthrin (Brigade 2EC) at 0.033 to 0.1 lb ai/A. Calibrate according to labeled instructions based on specific pest. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/A per season. Retreatment interval: 30 days. REI 12 hr.
- chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) at 0.045 to 0.098 lb ai/A. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/A or 4 applications per season. Armyworms only.
- gamma-cyhalothrin (Declare) at 0.0075 to 0.0125 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days for grazing. REI 24 hr. Do not exceed 0.015 lb ai/A per season.
- lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II with Zeon Technology) at 0.015 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days for grazing and forage; 7 days for hay. REI 24 hr.
- zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang Maxx) at 0.014 to 0.025 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days graze and hay; 7 days straw. REI 12 hr.