Armyworms Update
Armyworms are bad again in the county. I have had several calls week about large numbers of armyworms in hayfields. If it is time to harvest the field, I would mow it down. But if it is still early and you have a mix of big and small worms, I would spray.
We have had reports of Lambda Cy and Dimilin not giving adequate control. This picture shows worms that were sprayed with those insecticides and they continued to eat grass. I have also had reports that this combination worked enough that the producers were fine with the few that were left. So even though Lambda Cy and Dimilin are the cheapest insecticide mix it may not be the best. I was told once that the most expensive control method is the one that don't work.
Here are your options.
The most economical control is a mix of Lambda Cy and Dimilin. Pay attention to the mix of your Lambda Cy, it comes in two different strengths, a 1 pound material and a 2 pound material. This will determine how much you spray per acre.
1 pound material - 4 ounces per acre
2 pound material - 2 ounces per acre
Dimilin - 2 ounces per acre
They other option is more expensive but will give you better control and a much longer residual.
Vantacor - 0.9 ounces per acre
Besiege - 6 ounces per acre
If you are also trying to control bermudagrass stem maggots, then use Besiege. Vantacor does not get the stem maggot fly.
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