{"id":533,"date":"2020-08-25T13:58:46","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T20:58:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/cutworm\/?p=533"},"modified":"2021-08-10T18:02:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T01:02:04","slug":"alert-bertha-armyworm-moth-counts-higher-than-normal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.oregonstate.edu\/cutworm\/2020\/08\/25\/alert-bertha-armyworm-moth-counts-higher-than-normal\/","title":{"rendered":"ALERT: bertha armyworm moth counts higher than normal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Please take note that the 2nd flight of Mamestra configurata<\/em> is much higher than normal. Larvae of this species exhibit armyworm behavior – larvae move and feed in groups. Visually scan fields for areas of defoliation or seedpod feeding, and search surrounding soil – or better yet flag the location and return at night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damage can be extensive on a number of economically important Oregon crops including: MINT, ALFALFA, BELL PEPPERS, CORN, VEGETABLE BRASSICAS, and CANOLA<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pay special attention to weedy fields – lambsquarters and pigweed are often used as egg-laying hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Outbreaks of this species are rare, but can occur every 6-10 years. The 2010 Willamette Valley outbreak had 2 distinct peaks of very high activity compared to the long term average(grey shaded). Damage from this 2nd generation can occur into early autumn.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Adult moths have prominent white reniform spots (‘kidney bean-shaped’) and an irregular thick, white band near the terminal edge of the wing. There are 2 overlapping generations per year, and adults can fly up to 50 miles from where they originated!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Identifying larvae is difficult because there are different color forms that can vary substantially. Usually present is a yellow-orange line separating the ventral (pale) and dorsal (darker) areas, and the head is tan or light brown. If you find many larvae and need help identifying them, contact me<\/a> or the OSU Insect ID clinic<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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