Includes
Beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua)
Bertha armyworm (Mamestra configurata)
Black cutworm (Agotis ipsilon)
Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia)
Western yellowstriped armyworm (Spodoptera praefica)
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 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 (Btk)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin (as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin)
- carbaryl
- cyfluthrin
- plant essential oils (peppermint, rosemary, etc.)-Some have demonstrated efficacy. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- pyrethrins (often combined with other ingredients)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- spinosad
- zeta-cypermethrin
Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE
Apply any one of these materials to the soil surface at first sign of cutworm activity. Consult label. Minimum preharvest interval (PHI) varies with cropalpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.008 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 4 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/a per season. Leaves cannot be used for food or feed.
- azadirachtin (Neemix 4.5) at 0.14 to 0.35 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Javelin WG) at 0.12 to 1.5 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. Armyworms only. Add an appropriate spreader-sticker to enhance control. Most effective on small larvae. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
- bifenthrin (Brigade WSB) at 0.08 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.4 lb ai/a per year.
- bifenthrin/zeta-cypermethrin (Hero EW) at 0.025 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.45 lb/a per season. Leaves cannot be used for food or feed.
- Burkholderia spp. (Venerate XC) at 1 to 4 quarts/a product. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
- carbaryl (Sevin 5 bait) at 1 to 2 lb ai/a. PHI 14 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 6 lb ai/a per crop. Retreatment interval 7 days.
- chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) at 0.045 to 0.098 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 3 days. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a per season. Limit 4 treatments per season.
- Chromobacterium subtsugae (Grandevo) at 0.3 to 0.9 lb ai/a per 100 gal. PHI 0 days. REI 4 hr. OMRI-listed for organic use.
- deltamethrin (Delta Gold) at 0.012 to 0.028 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 3 days. Do not exceed 0.14 lb ai/a per season. Tops not for human or animal consumption.
- diazinon (Diazinon AG500) at 1.7 lb ai/a at preplant broadcast and incorporate. REI 3 days. Toxic to birds, fish and other wildlife. Only registered for use in OR
- indoxacarb (Avaunt) at 0.065 to 0.11 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 3 days. Do not use adjuvants. Do not exceed 0.44 lb ai/a per crop. Do not use adjuvant. Limit 4 treatments per year.
- malathion (Malathion 8) at 1.25 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 3 applications.
- methomyl (Lannate SP) at 0.45 to 0.9 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days for roots, and 10 days for tops. REI 48 hr. Do not exceed 3.6 lb ai/a or eight applications per year.
- methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2F) at 0.12 to 0.25 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Do not exceed 1 lb ai/a per season. Retreatment interval 14 days.
- spinetoram (Radiant SC) at 0.047 to 0.0625 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 4 applications per crop. Do not exceed 0.25 lb ai/a per season.
- spinosad (Success, Entrust SC) at 0.07 to 0.156 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Treat eggs at hatch and small larvae. Do not exceed 4 applications or 0.33 lb ai/a per crop. Armyworm only. Spinosad takes several days to achieve full effect. Monitor fields and pest populations carefully. Multiple applications may be necessary. Entrust SC is OMRI-listed for organic use.
- zeta cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.016 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 4 days. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per season. Tops and roots cannot be used for food or feed.
See: