Purdue News
Purdue News
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June 14, 2001 Armyworm moths around homes not causing damageWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Swarms of armyworm moths are invading Indiana homes, trees and vegetation, but one Purdue University entomologist says the insects are not causing damage.
"The moths, or the adult stage of the armyworm caterpillar, are not the damaging stage of this insect," says insect diagnostician Tim Gibb. "Moths feed on the plant nectar and pollen. They do not damage homes or plants and do not bite people. They are just a nuisance pest because of their high numbers right now." Gibb says the invasion of armyworm caterpillars earlier this spring has developed into the largest population of armyworm moths in history. These brownish-gray and buff colored moths are especially active in the early evening hours and gravitate toward light. During the day, moths rest on trees and vegetation. The moths currently are at the peak of egg laying or beyond, says Cliff Sadof, Purdue entomologist. The eggs hatch 10 days to two weeks after being laid. At that point, moths die and the population drops dramatically, he says.
"There will be a second generation of armyworms, but we do not how large it will be at this point," says Gibb. Sadof says stress from the heat and fungus spores in the soil will kill off large numbers of armyworm caterpillars after they hatch. Gibb says caterpillars already are dying from naturally occurring diseases and parasites. Allowing these controls to continue will help assure the next generation of armyworms will be moderate, he says. The armyworm problem stems from an exceptionally large moth flight from the south and from a high survival rate of eggs this spring. Normally spring rains drown the eggs, however, this year’s early dry conditions allowed armyworm populations to grow beyond normal, says Gibb. Gibb advises homeowners to be patient over the next two weeks until the moths die. He says to keep all doors and windows screened and porch lights off unless needed to help reduce the number of moths flying around lights and residences. Sources: Tim Gibb, 765-494-4570, tim_gibb@entm.purdue.edu Cliff Sadof, 765-494-5983, cliff_sadof@entm.purdue.edu Writer: Jennifer Doup, 765-494-6682, jdoup@aes.purdue.edu Purdue Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, Ag News Coordinator, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; https://persephone.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/news/ Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web sites: PHOTO CAPTION:
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