FALL ARMYWORM a, Male moth (or adult); b, eggs; c, larva; d, lace of larva; e, pupa in a cell; j, moth in resting posture; g, wing f female moth; /i, feeding injury to corn plant, (a, c, c, /. g, h about l 1 , times natural size; b twice natural size; d S times natural size. ■ for life history and control) r Entomology anJ Plant Quarantine State* Drpa-- Picture Sheet No. 12 FALL ARMYWORM Lap igma frugiperda (S. and A. Life History The fall armyworm, known principally as as enemy of growing corn, I'tvds upon many other cultivated crops, such as alfalfa, cotton, grasses, and wild plants. r I ne eggs are laid at night on grasses or other plant- and hatch in about 5 days. The young larvae, caterpillars, or "worms," feeding at first in concealment near the ground, become full- grown in about 20 days, then enter the soil for a few inches and become pupae. The inactive pupal stage lasts about 10 days. After the moth- emerge from the pupal cases they often fly for many miles before the females lay eggs. As many as six generations may occur annually in the Gulf States, hut the insect does not survive the winter farther northward. In addition to eating the blades of corn, the larvae may bore into the ears, particularly the shanks of the ears, and feed ex- tensively therein. Control Under some conditions effective control of the fall armyworm may be secured by distributing a poisoned bait made as follows: Wheat brao 50 pounds. Pari- green or white arsenic 2 pounds. Low-grade molasses 1 gallon. Water 5 gallons. Mix the poison and brao thoroughly, in a dry state; then dissolve the molasses in the water and mix the Liquid thoroughly into the poi- soned bran. Broadcast this bait over ground where grass crops are infested; or put it in the leaf whorls of the corn plants, sprinkling it thinly in Hakes, not lumps. WARNING: Remember that paris green and white arsenic are violent poisons. Take care not to allow children or other persons, or livestock of any kind, to have access to the poison or to receptacles con- taining the poisoned bait. The best way to dispose of surplus bait is to broadcast it thinly on the ground in a field. When the "worms" are crawling over the ground in large 4 numbers, they may be readily trapped by plowing a furrow. They will fall into this and can then be crushed by dragging a log back and forth in it. Or. instead of dragging a log. post holes about 18 inches deep may be dug in the bottom of the furrow to serve as traps, in which the worms can be killed by crushing them or by sprinkling them with kerosene. 10 L'i)7(i4 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 09082 4698 April L941 ('. S. Governmcnl Printing Office For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, I). C. Price •"> cents