Adult armyworm moths fly at night, depositing eggs on turfgrass or on surrounding vegitation. After hatching, the larvae grow up to two-inches long, developing light stripes along the green-gray body. The fall armyworm has a white inverted “Y” marking on the front of the head. The common armyworm has two brown stripes on the head. They feed at night, hiding in the thatch during the day. Larval populations feed in mass, chewing grass blades and stems as they move across the turf. Damage diagnosis is simular to sod webworms and cutworms. Soap solutions can be used to check cutworm populations.

Armyworm Larva
Armyworm Adult
Fall Amyworm Larva
Fall Armyworm Adult
Armyworm Damaged Lawn