Google "army worm pictures". That's what it looks like to me. BTk kills them -- they're a pest.

thanks anney! That's exactly it! Out I go with my Bt sprayer.....

Do you spray Bt with a hose-end sprayer? I am getting tired of pumping my one gallon tank to spray so many leaves.

ditnc

I think a hose sprayer is easier, not so heavy and refilling the smaller container it isn't such a hassle.

Amazing, now I know what has taken little perfectly round nibbles out of my tomatoes.

Note to self: must get new hose end sprayer since current one doesn't spray correctly.
At least I will have some better defined muscles in my arms from all this carrying and pumping of sprayers when this growing season is done!

Thanks again anney!

Diane

It was said "BTk kills them "

Not when they're that large. Must apply Btk prior to when the caterpillar is half-grown. After that, they can "escape" into the next developmental stage.

For the bigger guys, drown in slightly soapy water; stomp; or snip in two.

jean

Yes, you are correct -- I'd forgotten that. There is a beneficial nematode that is a good control for them if someone finds a lot of them. They burrow in soil, thatch and mulch during the day.

Tell me more about the nematodes that will help, please.

helenh

Sorry, my post above wasn't clear -- it's the armyworms that burrow in thatch, etc., not the nematodes.

This site has this to say about how how two nematodes "infect" armyworms and other pests: Ambushers such as Steinernema carpocapsae and S. scapterisci have adapted "sit and wait" strategy to attack highly mobile insects (billbugs, sod webworms, cutworms, mole-crickets and armyworms) when they come in contact at the surface of the soil. These nematodes do not respond to host released cues but infective juveniles of some Steinernema spp can stand on their tails (nictate) and easily infect passing insect hosts by jumping on them. Since highly mobile insects live in the upper soil or thatch layer, ambushers are generally effective in infecting more insects on the surface than deep in the soil.

Arbico Organics sells them, as do some other online sources. Here's what they say: Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic, non-segmented worms that occur naturally in soil throughout the world. Once released, the nematodes seek out their host, enter through body openings, emit a toxin and death occurs within 48 hours. Beneficial Nematodes are shipped in an easily dissolved clay formulation that you mix with water. The solution can be applied directly using a watering can, hose end, backpack, or pump sprayer or through irrigation or misting systems. Release early in the morning or predusk when temperatures are cooler and the sun is not so bright.

Just something to keep in mind if you have a bad infestation of armyworms -- the nematodes are very expensive, though you might share the cost with 2 or 3 other people with the same problem since one treatment is said to cover 3,200 square feet. I doubt the live nematodes keep a long time in the clay suspension. If it's only a few, you can handpick them.