More: Welt, welt, welt: Brood X cicadas may have brought an influx of itch mites to Louisville What is the fall armyworm?

We spoke to Kentucky entomologists to figure out just what these armyworms are and what to do if you see them in your yard. For the first time since 1977, fall armyworms are eating up lawns and golf courses across Kentucky, moving from their usual agricultural haunts. Keep the garden free from weeds and debris.Have you noticed a strange large brown spot of dead grass in your yard? One that looks almost like drought? Have you seen little masses of eggs that look like teeny Styrofoam balls stuck to your patio furniture? You can also use commercial traps with floral lures to catch the adults.Ħ. Also you can spray biocontrol agents like Bacillus thuringiensis, or spinosad.ĥ. Spray homemade insecticide soap solution to repel/kill the insects (add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil+ 2 tablespoons of baking soda+ few drops of Ivory soap in 1 quart of water).Ĥ. Hand pick the larva (better during night) and put them in soap water.ģ. If you find any egg mass on leaves or stem remove and destroy them.Ģ. The hatched larvae feeds on older leaves by making irregular holes.īoth insects are very active during night.ġ. The adult brownish moths lay eggs on plant debris. The older larvae cuts the stem and also feeds on leaves by making irregular holes.Ĭabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni): The caterpillars are light green in color with yellow stripes running down the back. The newly hatched larvae starts feeding on crown leaves by forming webless perforations.

Adult grey moth lays eggs in mass on leaves or stem. The caterpillars are dark green in color and always present in mass. The green caterpillars that normally eats brussel sprouts are army worms or cabbage loopers.Īrmy worm (Spodoptera spp): The larvae feeds on leaves, stems and roots of many crops.

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