Identification and Control of Fall Armyworm

The fall armyworm is a polyphagous and migratory pest native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. It invaded the United States and Canada in the mid-19th century. Its widely known name is “Autumn Cabbage Worm,” because in North America, it damages crops in late summer and early fall, with larvae often migrating in large groups in a marching fashion, hence the name ‘marching caterpillar.’