Armyworm Pest
Spodoptera frugiperda
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameArmyworm Pest
DescriptionArmyworms are caterpillars that 'march' in large groups, devouring foliage. Learn to identify these destructive pests and protect your crops effectively.
TypeInsect
FamilyNoctuidae
GenusSpodoptera
TribeProdeniini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Features
- Named 'armyworm' because they move in large, cohesive groups across fields, marching like an army to find new food sources
- Caterpillars are often green, brown, or black with stripes along their sides. Usually have a characteristic inverted 'Y' mark on their head
- Voracious feeders on leaves and stems. Often hide in the 'whorl' of corn or at the base of grasses during the day
- Can skeletonize leaves or consume entire seedlings overnight. Damage often appears as large, ragged holes or complete defoliation
- Moths lay clusters of fuzzy eggs on leaves. Caterpillars grow through several stages (instars) before pupating in soil. Fast lifecycle in warm weather
- Caterpillars grow up to 30-40 mm long. Moths have wingspans of about 35 mm
- Highly active at night. Populations can 'explode' after heavy rains or in specific seasonal windows
- Major pests of corn, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, turf grass, and various vegetable crops
- Use pheromone traps for monitoring. Early detection is critical as they consume more as they grow larger
- Treat with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), neem oil, or beneficial nematodes. In large outbreaks, specific caterpillar-focused insecticides are used
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificSpodoptera frugiperda
English (Alternate)Fall armyworm, Marching caterpillar
Hindiಲಶ್ಕರಿ ಇಲಿ (Lashkari illi), ಕಟುವಾ ಇಲಿ (Katua illi)
Tamilಪಡೈಪ್ಪುಳು (Padaippuzhu), ರಾಣುವಪ್ಪುಳು (Ranuvappuzhu)
Teluguಲದ್ದೆ ಪುರುಗು (Ladde purugu), ಸೈನ್ಯಪು ಪುರುಗು (Sainyapu purugu)
Malayalamಪಟ್ಟಾಲಪ್ಪುಳು (Pattalappuzhu)
Kannadaಸೈನ್ಯದ ಹುಳು (Sainyada hulu)
Sanskritಸೇನಾ-ಕೀಟ (Sena-kita)
Bengaliಲೆಡಾ ಪೋಕ (Leda poka), ಸೇನಾಪೋಕ (Senapoka)
Frenchlégionnaire d'automne, chenille légionnaire
Russianಸೊವ್ಕಾ-ಇಲ್ಯುಮಿನೇಟರ್ (sovka-illyuminator), ಅರ್ಮೇಯ್ಸ್ಕಿ ಚೆರ್ವ್ (armeyskiy cherv')
Spanishgusano cogollero, gusano soldado
GermanHeerwurm
