Farming
Welcome to the Alabama Fall Armyworm Tracker. On this page, forage producers and other residents can track the presence of this pest across the state through a color-coded map. Updated weekly, this map shows the counties where fall armyworms have been reported. This pages also includes helpful information on scouting for and controlling fall armyworms.
Map—September 2
The following map shows the counties in which fall armyworms have been reported. Counties shown in light blue are ones that have had one to five confirmed reports. Counties shown in dark blue are ones that have had six or more confirmed reports. Dark-green counties do not currently have a confirmed report of fall armyworms.
To report a case of fall armyworms, text FAW and your county name to 251-277-4335.
Scouting
Scouting pastures and hayfields can help detect fall-armyworm infestations before they cause economic damage.
When: Scout early morning or late afternoon to check for the presence of young armyworms.
Where: Scout your most valuable hayfields and pastures that have been affected before.
How: Use an insect sweep net. It is the best way to detect larvae that are too small to find otherwise.
Controlling
If you detect fall armyworms, the next step is to count how many caterpillars you have per square foot. Treatment is recommended when an average of two to three or more worms are found per square foot. It is easier to treat a field or pasture for fall armyworms when the caterpillars are smaller (less than 1-inch long), so early detection is key. Recommendations are determined not only by the size of the caterpillars but also the forage growth stage. Chemical control is only recommended for fall armyworms that are 1/2-inch long or less. For infestations with larger caterpillars, harvesting the forage, if possible, is recommended.
There are two types of insecticides that are recommended for fall armyworm control: insect growth regulators and pyrethroids.
- Insect growth regulators inhibit the pest’s growth cycle and typically work well to control small armyworms.
- Pyrethroids kill quickly upon contact and provide control of small and medium-sized armyworms. Pyrethroid products are classified as restricted use pesticides and require a pesticide applicator license.
For more information on control options, see the Alabama Extension publication, “Insecticides for Pasture Control of Fall Armyworms,” and Integrated Pest Management Guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I sprayed my field. Now what?
After making a chemical application, producers must monitor their fields to see how the armyworms are affected. Do not panic if there are not near-immediate results. All chemicals have different modes of actions, and it may take longer for some of them to start working.
Q: Why do I still have fall armyworms?
It takes approximately 30 days for fall armyworms to complete their life cycle, so many generations can be present at one time. The warmer the weather, the faster the life cycle.
Q: What if spraying does not work?
If a spray failure does occur, do not use the same mode of action to respray. For example, if a producer uses a pyrethroid and control was not achieved, they might use a carbaryl product for the second application.
More Information
For more information on managing fall armyworms, consult the following resources or contact the Animal Science and Forages Extension agent that serves your area.