Cool, wet weather prime for armyworm development

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

Those gathered at the Wheat Field Day in Prosper take notes on the variety's result determined in the test plots. -Staff photo by Montgomery

May 23, 2002 -- Wheat farmers were told at a May 9 field day that North Texas has perfect conditions for armyworms.

"The cool, wet weather is perfect conditions for armyworms," said Dr. Allen Knutson, Extension entomologist. "The Hillsboro and Waxahachie area is seeing few armyworms because their conditions are dryer."

Extension workers in Collin County have been trying to monitor how many armyworms are in the area. This is done by catching armyworm moths in special traps.

"In one week 350+ moths were caught," Knutson said.

"We need a bigger bucket," said Eddie Baggs, Collin County Extension agent.

Dr. Allen Knutson shows on the traps used to attract armyworm moths so a count forecast can be made. Staff photos by Montgomery -Staff photo by Montgomery

"We have had the highest moth catches in Texas this year then any other, which is unusual," Knutson said. "The adult armyworms are common but the caterpillars are not. The caterpillars are the ones that do the damage. Right now, the wheat is maturing and it is less susceptible to armyworms," he added.

As far as control of armyworms, Knutson said if you have four or more larvae per square foot, you need control. Some ways of control are Carbaryl, Methyl Parathion, Lannate and Warrior.

Knutson also reported on grasshoppers.

"Taylor, in Central Texas, is reporting a big grasshopper hatch," Knutson said. "Grasshoppers need to be control when they are very small. On pastures and hay fields, you can use Malathion 57%, Malathion ULV at eight ounces per acre (undiluted). The ULV is used aeral. Carbaryl can also be used. Remember to check the label.

"There is a new product for grasshoppers. It is called Dimilin 21 (Diflubenzum) but it is not labeled for Bermuda grass. It is labeled for soybeans, cotton, rice, non-crop, rangeland but not bermuda grass hay or pastures planted for domesticated forages," he continued. "Dimilin is recommended at one ounce per acre, cost less than $2 per acre and application is once per year. Now is the best time to use Dimilin."

The field day, held at the Extension experimental station in Prosper, also gave farmers the opportunity to see plots of different varities of wheat, oats and barley.