Inland armyworm ( Persectania dyscrita).Southern armyworm ( Persectania ewingii).There are 3 common species of armyworm found in southern Australia: In the unusual event of extreme food depletion and crowding, they will 'march' out of crops and pastures in search of food, which gives them the name 'armyworm'. The change in feeding habit is caused by depletion of green leaf material or crowding. They are the only caterpillars that growers are likely to encounter in cereal crops, although occasionally native budworm will also attack grain when underlying weed hosts dry out.Īrmyworms mostly feed on leaves, but under certain circumstances will feed on the seed stem, resulting in head loss. Sampling can be done with a sweep net or traps if armyworm populations need to be monitored.Armyworms are caterpillar pests of grass pastures and cereal crops. There is some evidence that biological controls may help limit armyworm populations.īecause the pest does not typically cause economic harm, insecticides are not routinely recommended. Due to limited research, it is unclear what strategies work best to control this pest. Wheat head armyworm is not typically a pest that causes economic harm, although sporadic incidents of major economic damage have been reported. However, this pest is generally not an economic concern for most growers. Characteristic damage is indicated by a small hole bored in the base of florets. Feeding on wheat heads at night is most common.
Research in Washington by Diana Roberts and colleagues noted up to 35% yield losses due to this insect in spring wheat trials near Davenport. Larvae developing from these eggs then feed on wheat from May into the summer. Moths emerge in the spring months and lay eggs on wheat or barley. Armyworms are moth caterpillars that vary in color (gray or green) with a distinct yellow, white, and brown stripe along the body.
Armyworms can be problematic pests in cereal grains.
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