Includes
Beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)
Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata)
Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica)
Black cutworm (Agotis ipsilon)
Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia)
Pest description, crop damage and life history
See:
Common Pests of Vegetable Crops
Management-cultural control
Weed control is important. Lambsquarters and wild mustard attract egg-laying females and provide a source of food for larvae. Fall tillage can help destroy overwintering pupae.
Home gardeners: Control weeds, grasses, and debris in the vegetable garden that provide cover; hand-pick cutworm larvae, using a flashlight (as they are nocturnal) to find them, if practical. Scratch the soil at the base of plants to find larvae in the daytime.
Management-chemical control: HOME USE
- azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin
- carbaryl-To avoid harming bees, do not apply products containing carbaryl to plants in bloom.
- esfenvalerate
- insecticidal soap-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- plant essential oils (rosemary, etc.)-Some have demonstrated efficacy against lepidopteran larvae. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- pyrethrins (often combined with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- spinosad-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- zeta-cypermethrin
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
- acephate (numerous products) at 0.75 to 1 lb ai/a. PHI 14 days. REI 24 hr. Do not feed treated vines. Do not exceed 2 lb ai/a per year.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin)-See product labels for rates. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Add an appropriate spreader-sticker to enhance control. Most effective on small larvae. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- beta-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL, Tombstone Helios) at 0.0065 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 14 days. Do not exceed 0.05 lb ai/a per season. Do not feed treated vines or hay to livestock. Toxic to bees, fish and aquatic invertebrates. Only registered for use in WA
- esfenvalerate (Asana XL) at 0.03 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 21 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a per year. Do not feed or graze treated vines.
- lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 0.015 to 0.03 lb ai/a. PHI 21 days. REI 24 hr. Do not graze or feed to livestock. Do not exceed 0.12 lb ai/a per year. Do not apply within 25 ft of an aquatic habitat, 150 ft if applied by air.
- malathion (numerous products) at 1.5 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr.
- methomyl (Lannate SP) at 0.45 to 0.9 lb ai/a. PHI 14 days to harvest, feeding vines, or hay. REI 48 hr. Do not exceed 4.5 lb ai/a per year.
- novaluron (Rimon .83 EC) at 6 to 12 fl oz/a. Do not apply more than 36 fl oz/a per season. PHI 24 hr. REI 12 hr.
- spinetoram (Radiant SC) at 0.0313 to 0.0625 lb ai/a. PHI 28 days. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 4 days. Do not exceed six applications or 0.094 lb ai/a per season. Follow resistance management procedures on the label.
- zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang; Mustang Max) at 0.008 to 0.025 lb ai/a (Mustang Max) or 0.016 to 0.05 lb ai/a (Mustang). PHI 21 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.15 lb ai/a (Mustang Max) or 0.3 lb ai/a (Mustang) per year. Do not apply within 25 ft of an aquatic habitat, 150 ft if applied by air.