Severe infestations can occur after a period of dry conditions followed by wet.Īfter mating, the adult female moth lays eggs in a cluster of 150 - 200, covering them in a mass of grey-hairs (setae). In ideal conditions, activity may extend into autumn.

The lifecycle generally lasts for five to nine weeks, with two to four generations per year in spring and summer. Eggs hatch into larvae (caterpillars), larvae grow and develop through various stages, larvae pupate, then finally emerge as adult moths.

With a few simple treatment steps and regular yard maintenance, you can keep armyworms at bay and help your garden flourish.During its lifetime, Lawn Armyworm undergo complete physical transformation (also known as holometabolous metamorphosis). Then, it’s time to consider treating your yard. At the first signs of brown patches and chewed plants, look for the small armyworm larvae, which are identifiable due to their green, yellow, brown, or reddish stripes that span their body length. Armyworms can lay devastation to a lawn or garden in a matter of days. If you suspect armyworms as the cause of your garden woes, it’s important to identify and treat the problem quickly. Keeping a healthy yard will also help your grass or plants bounce back in the case of a minor armyworm infestation. Keeping grasses short and removing fallen debris also exposes armyworm hiding spots, so natural predators can pick off existing bugs. A well-maintained garden creates a less attractive environment for the adult moths to lay their eggs.

Long grass and grassy weeds can attract adult armyworms. Aim to make your garden a better environment for natural larvae predators, such as birds and beneficial insects like ground beetles, rove beetles, and ladybugs. In many areas, natural predators can help keep armyworms in check. Photo: STEP 5: Keep the lawn mowed to a reasonable height and keep grassy weeds at bay.

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