Its an active year for these pests in parts of the Southeast.
Getty Images
Fall armyworms (Spodotera frugiperda) are not a welcome visitor in the Southeast.
Fall armyworms cannot survive winters in most of the Southeast, says Waltz.
Credit:Getty Images
In some years, their numbers are worse than others.
Knowing what fall armyworms look like and how to treat them is your best defense against these destructive pests.
Although they attack a variety of crops and grasses, their favorites arebermudagrass and tall fescue.
Credit:Getty Images
While bermudagrass usually can recover from an attack, surviving a fall armyworm invasion is iffy for tall fescue.
Identifying Fall Armyworms
Adult moths are ash-gray and about 1 12-inches wide.
The moths are active at night and may be seen near porch lights.
Once the female moth lays eggs, the masses hatch in a few days, depending on temperature.
You may even hear their munching!
This may indicate that theyre feeding on the caterpillars, so inspect your turf, says Waltz.
Also, be aware of what these insects look like and how to treat them.
