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Armyworms appearing in corn fields planted into rye cover crops

Farmers who planted corn into winter rye cover crops need to be scouting for armyworms.

Bruce Potter is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist at the University of Minnesota.

He says growers across the Midwest are reporting infestations near threshold levels.

“A little bit in Minnesota, but I’m also hearing reports from other states (like) Iowa and Indiana.  We’re seeing some armyworms in some of the corn that’s been planted into a rye cover.”

There have also been reports of slugs in corn and soybean fields planted into terminated rye.

Potter tells Brownfield pesticides are effective on slugs and armyworms.

He says a warmer and dryer weather pattern should help, too.

“The good news is this high heat and lack of rainfall is going to kind of mitigate that problem.  Slugs kind of like it cool and wet, and this (heat and dryness) is bad weather for them.”

Potter says armyworms also seem to be more abundant in cool, wet conditions.

He calls areas where rye is still green and dense target-rich environments for armyworm moths looking to lay eggs.