FALL ARMYWORM 
Lap igma frugiperda (S. and A. 
Life History 
The fall armyworm, known principally as as enemy of growing 
corn, I'tvds upon many other cultivated crops, such as alfalfa, cotton, 
grasses, and wild plants. r I ne eggs are laid at night on grasses or other 
plant- and hatch in about 5 days. The young larvae, caterpillars, or 
"worms," feeding at first in concealment near the ground, become full- 
grown in about 20 days, then enter the soil for a few inches and become 
pupae. The inactive pupal stage lasts about 10 days. After the 
moth- emerge from the pupal cases they often fly for many miles before 
the females lay eggs. As many as six generations may occur annually 
in the Gulf States, hut the insect does not survive the winter farther 
northward. In addition to eating the blades of corn, the larvae may 
bore into the ears, particularly the shanks of the ears, and feed ex- 
tensively therein. 
Control 
Under some conditions effective control of the fall armyworm may 
be secured by distributing a poisoned bait made as follows: 
Wheat brao 50 pounds. 
Pari- green or white arsenic 2 pounds. 
Low-grade molasses 1 gallon. 
Water 5 gallons. 
Mix the poison and brao thoroughly, in a dry state; then dissolve 
the molasses in the water and mix the Liquid thoroughly into the poi- 
soned bran. Broadcast this bait over ground where grass crops are 
infested; or put it in the leaf whorls of the corn plants, sprinkling it 
thinly in Hakes, not lumps. 
WARNING: Remember that paris green and white arsenic are 
violent poisons. Take care not to allow children or other persons, or 
livestock of any kind, to have access to the poison or to receptacles con- 
taining the poisoned bait. The best way to dispose of surplus bait is 
to broadcast it thinly on the ground in a field. 
When the "worms" are crawling over the ground in large 4 numbers, 
they may be readily trapped by plowing a furrow. They will fall into 
this and can then be crushed by dragging a log back and forth in it. 
Or. instead of dragging a log. post holes about 18 inches deep may be 
dug in the bottom of the furrow to serve as traps, in which the worms 
can be killed by crushing them or by sprinkling them with kerosene. 
10 L'i)7(i4 
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 
3 1262 09082 4698 
April L941 ('. S. Governmcnl Printing Office 
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, I). C. Price •"> cents 
