Heads up! Striped armyworms have arrived in PA.

6 years ago

Found a small one on one of my Green Giant plants. I may not spray BT for them this year. They weren't actually a big problem last year, although they did a lot of damage the year before that. Last year, though, I moved to a trellis system that I think the birds really enjoy, and they seem to be helping me stay relatively caterpillar-free. and my beneficial predators plants also seem to be keeping the parasitoids working in my garden.

Last year, I finally had to spray because of the pinworms. I've seen a couple pinworms this year so far, but much fewer than last year.

I sometimes find that the first year of a pest is the worst. Seems counterintuitive, but I think it takes a while for predators and parasitoids of those pests to clue in to the fact that there is a population of food in the area.

But I thought I'd give the alert.

I'm currently on biting my nails in dread of the arrival of the SVBs on my squash. So far, nothing. Either the cool, wet may has delayed them, or my late planting strategy is working.

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Comments (7)

m_gold
6 years ago
Gorbelly, army worms were a problem for me last year but I didn't notice until it was too late. Can you help me know what to look for this year? I live in the southern central part of the state, is rhat near you? Thanks
gorbelly
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If they were a problem and you expect them to be a problem again, you might just want to start spraying BT regularly right about now. That will help with hornworms as well.

I hand-pick because, aside from that first year, I haven't had more than a few. I think the birds and wasps take care of most of them. With all caterpillars, I look for frass on the leaves, then scout in the foliage above the frass.

Sometimes, I'll spray BT only on developing fruit. This is a combination of me being a little silly and trying not to deprive birds and beneficials of their juicy caterpillar meals unless the pests are threatening my fruit and me being lazy because I dislike having to spend time spraying.

Another thing I recommend is putting up perches for birds around your plants. They'll help keep your tomato plants cleaned out.
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functionthenlook
6 years ago
What area of the state are you? I live in western PA and never heard of them. Aren't the ticks and stink bugs enough of a curse.
gorbelly
Original Author
6 years ago
I'm just west of Philly.
functionthenlook
6 years ago
Keep them on your side of the state lol.
jenswrens
6 years ago
gorbelly said, "With all caterpillars, I look for frass on the leaves, then scout in the foliage above the frass."

What is frass and what does it look like? I'm thinking maybe it means caterpillar poop, but... inquiring minds. ;-)

Photos?
gorbelly
Original Author
6 years ago
Frass is bug poop, yes. And it looks different depending on which critter.

YSAW usually leave little black granules or mini-pellets (depending on the size of the caterpillar) that fall down and collect in cupped areas in leaves. The first pic on this page shows frass on the leaf, although I would think that the frass is actually from a smaller specimen than what is shown. https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef321

Hornworms leave what I call a distinctive green-black "sixpack poop" as they start getting larger, although some also describe it as "hand-grenade" shaped. Scroll down to 4th image on this page: http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/insects/tobacco-hornworm.html When they're young and droppings are small, it can be hard to see the distinctive shape.

Over time, an observant gardener will eventually get a feel for what kind of pest is indicated by what kind of frass.

Heads up! Striped armyworms have arrived in PA.

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m_gold

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Heads up! Striped armyworms have arrived in PA.

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