A report from Coos Co. Extension Agent Cassie Bouska. Recent reports of armyworm damage in the county should encourage all producers to scout fields for this pest. Hundreds of acres of grass pastures and field corn can be severely damaged within one week. The armyworm caterpillars feed on plants at night and hide under vegetation near soil level during the day. Take a flashlight out to fields at night to look for them. The moths are light brown with a white dot on the wings. They fly at night and can be seen near bright lights around buildings. Harvest early if armyworm larvae reach populations of 5-10/sq. ft. Entrust® (Dow Agrisciences) was shown to be extremely effective in 2005 pasture trials. Entrust® and Entrust®SC are both organically certified. Success® is the same product as Entrust®SC, but is labeled for non-organic use. Please contact me at the office (541-572-5263 ext 290), by cell phone (541-290-2287), or email (cassie.bouska@oregonstate.edu) if you have any questions or need help.
