Armyworm
Scientific name: Mythimna separata
Description The adult moths of armyworm are pale brown. The live for 1-9 days and lay eggs singly in rows or in clusters on dry or fresh plants or on the soil. The eggs are round, light green, when freshly laid, and turn pale yellow and finally black. Freshly emerged larvae are very active, dull white and later turn green. The armyworm typically becomes a pest of wheat at ears. It prefers "green" tissue, and ordinarily feeds first on the tender leaves, then on the awns and immature grains.
Nature of damage The freshly emerged larvae spin threads from which they suspend themselves in the air and then with the help of air currents reach from one plant to another. In the early stages, they feed on tender leaves in the central whorl of the plant. The larvae are found in the cracks of soil and hide during the day but feed during night or early morning. In the case of a severe attack by the armyworms, whole leaves, including the mid-rib, are consumed and field looks as if grazed by cattle. The pest may also eat away ears, including the awns and immature grains. The most obvious damage to wheat is "head clipping," when caterpillars chew completely through the stem and the head falls off the plant.
Control Measure The pest can be suppressed by collecting and destroying the caterpillars. Mid October to mid November sowings escape pest attack while incidence is evident in mid November to early December sowings. Spray 500 ml of dichlorvos 85SL or 3 kg of carbaryl 50WP or 1 litre of quinalphos 25EC in 250 litres of water per ha.