ARMYWORM

Scientific name
Spodoptera exempta Walker / Mythimna unipuncta
/Order / Family
Lepidoptera : Noctuidae
Filipino Names
- Harabas (Tagalog)
- Igges ti bonobon /Arabas (Ilocano)
- Uod sa humay / Anogba (Cebuano)
- Balulo (Mis. Oriental)
- Ulad queng pulang pale ( Pampango)
- Alabag (Pangasinan)
- Tagus-tus (Panay –Visayan)
The common name • HABITAT
‘armyworm’ comes from Agricultural crops and
the fact that these weedy grasses
insect often appear in Biggest Threat
large numbers when Pest Control
foraging or moving to
their next host during
the early morning or
late evening hours.
 Armyworms are the larvae of moths belonging to the
Noctuidae family. These nocturnal fliers lay eggs that
develop into tiny larvae that can reach lengths of 2
inches and curl up when startled.
 Although they eventually develop into moths the
damage is primarily caused by the worm like larvae
stage. Armyworms have the appearance of an army
battalion when they are in large numbers. Lawn
grasses can be wiped out by severe infestations in a
matter of days.
 Armyworm are
caterpillars that
attack rice.
 Armyworms feed
on rice by cutting
off leaves and
young seedlings at
the plants base.
They can also cut
off rice plant
panicles.
LIFE CYCLE AN ARMY WORM
• eggs: 3-5 days
• larva; 13-17 days
(the most destructive
stages)
• pupa: 7-10 days
• adult: 7- 21 days
 How to Manage
• Flooding seedbeds is the best defense • TO CONTROL
against armyworms. • Place ashes in the trenches to make it
TO PREVENT ARMYWORM more difficult for the caterpillars to
INFESTATION; escape.
• Establish seedbeeds far from large areas of • Place branches around the fields to give
weeds. armyworms a place to congregate
• Use light trap or pheromone traps for where they are easily collected by hand.
monitoring. • Avoid killing natural enemies of
• Clean the field and remove weeds armyworms such as wasps and spiders.
• Insecticides should be the last resort
MECHANICAL CONTROL for
• Collect and crush egg masses and larva armyworm control.
CHEMICAL CONTROL
• Use insecticide sprays ( pyrethiods,
methomyl, and chlopifos)
THANK YOU!