Sod in Jacksonville Florida and St Augustine Florida are suseptible to the Fall Armyworm. Bermuda grass is one of 80 species of grasses and plants the armyworm will eat. The worm overwinters successfully in the south and are most prevalent in April – December. The moth can lay between 100-200 domed shaped eggs in one clutch. Eggs are laid on the underside of foliage with gray scales in between which resembles mold. The gestation period is around three days to hatch to larvae. The Fall Armyworm larva has a greenish body and a round blackhead. The larva stage usually lasts between 14 to 30 days. I fast maturation occurs in warmer weather. The pupa stage takes place in the soil at a depth of 2 – 8cm. The pupa stage lasts around 8 days in the summer but can last between 20-30 days in the winter. They construct a cocoon of silk and soil. The moth is nocturnal and most active during warm humid nights. Leaf damage occurs from the larvae eating one side and leaving the other intact. The Fall Armyworm has several natural enemies including the stripped earwig, various ground beetles as well as birds, skunks, and rodents.
