Fall Armyworm

Fall Armyworm was a big problem for some last Fall. With a low temperature in Erie County of 11 degrees Fahrenheit last night, THEY ARE DEAD. The question is will it be a problem next year?

Participants in the BYGL Zoom Inservice on Tuesday morning had a lengthy discussion about whether we’ll experience a sequel to the Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda, family Noctuidae) saga in Ohio. Points were pondered and expectancies examined; however, the consensus was straightforward: never bet against insects!

OSU Extension county offices across the state are receiving e-mails and phone calls about Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda, family Noctuidae) causing substantial injury to turfgrass. Thus far, it appears that fall armyworm is the dominant culprit rather than Yellowstriped Armyworm (S. ornithogalli) and Common Armyworm (Mythimna convecta).