Includes
Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata)
Spotted cutworm (Xestia c-nigrum)
Pest description and crop damage Several species of armyworms and cutworms can attack caneberries. These are green, reddish, or black caterpillars up to 50mm long. Armyworm caterpillars feed in colonies shortly after hatching; their feeding skeletonizes the leaves. Near harvest, bertha armyworms can cause significant defoliation. Spotted cutworm is an early-season pest. It feeds on primary buds and can affect yield significantly.
Biology and life history Armyworms and cutworms are the larvae (caterpillars) of noctuid moths. Armyworms typically feed during the day, while cutworms spend the day just beneath the soil surface or in plant debris, and feed at night. Weeds are the primary food source of cutworms.
Management-cultural control
Control weeds, grasses, and debris that provide cover. Encourage natural enemies of cutworms like birds and spiders.
Home gardeners: Hand-pick cutworm larvae, using a flashlight to find them, if practical. Scratch the soil at the base of plants to find larvae in the daytime.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
Avoid making applications of insecticides to plants in bloom to avoid bee injury. Follow all label directions.
- azadirachtin/neem oil -Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- Bacillus thuringiensis spp. kurstaki (Bt)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin
- carbaryl
- esfenvalerate
- kaolin-When applied as a spray to leaves, stems, and fruit, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- permethrin (for use on raspberries only)
- plant essential oils (cinnamon, garlic, peppermint, rosemary, thyme)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- spinosad-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- zeta-cypermethrin
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
- azadirachtin (Azaguard, AzaSol, Ecozin Plus and others)-Consult label for rate. PHI 0 days. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) (several brands)-Consult label for rate. PHI 0 days. Do not use DiPel ES with captan fungicide: the mixture will bronze foliage. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- Burkholderia spp. (Venerate XC)-Consult label for rate. PHI 0 days. OMRI-listed for organic use. Do not apply when bees are foraging.
- carbaryl (Carbaryl 4L and other brands) at 2 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. Latex-based formulations such as Sevin XLR Plus are less hazardous to bees. Do not use during bloom.
- Chromobacterium subtsugae (Grandevo CG, Grandevo WDG) at 0.3 to 0.9 lb ai/A. PHI 0 days. OMRI-listed for organic use. Hazardous to bees: Do not apply during bloom.
- cyclaniliprole (Verdepryn 100SL) at 0.054 to 0.072 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. Hazardous to bees; in-bloom applications prohibited, with exceptions. See label for more information.
- diazinon (several brands) at 1 lb ai/A. PHI 7 days. Do not use during bloom. One application per season allowed; as such, consider other pests that may need to be managed with diazinon. Restricted use pesticide.
- fenpropathrin (Danitol) at 0.2 to 0.3 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days. Do not exceed 0.6 lb ai/A per season. Restricted use pesticide.
- methoxyfenozide (Inspirato 2F, Intrepid 2F and others) at 0.12 to 0.25 lb ai/A. PHI 3 days. Apply when first signs of feeding damage appear.
- pyrethrins (several brands)-Consult label for rate. Pyganic brand is OMRI-listed for organic use.
- spinetoram (Delegate WG) at 0.05 to 0.09 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. Yellowstriped and western yellowstriped armyworms are not controlled with spinetoram. Toxic to bees for three hours following treatment. Do not apply when bees are foraging.
- spinosad (Entrust) at 0.062 to 0.09 lb ai/A. PHI 1 day. Use higher rate for larger larvae or severe infestations. Toxic to bees for three hours following treatment. Do not apply when bees are foraging. Entrust is OMRI-listed for organic use.
- tebufenozide (Confirm 2F) at 0.12 to 0.25 lb ai/A. PHI 14 days. Do not apply more than 1.0 lb ai/A per year.