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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK |
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Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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FOLIAGE FEEDING CATERPILLARS |
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| The foliage-feeder complex in alfalfa includes the corn earworm, green cloverworm, yellow-striped armyworm, fall armyworm, alfalfa caterpillar, webworms, and several other species which complete 4-6 generations each year, approximately one generation in each crop of alfalfa. Adults of these species lay eggs in foliage beginning soon after each harvest, and caterpillars tend to increase both in number and size as each crop of alfalfa grows. The species present may be highly variable. Because the damage caused by all species is leaf-feeding or defoliation, identifications are not important. If numbers of caterpillars exceed 5-6 per sweep, application of insecticide for control should be considered. Harvesting is an alternative to spraying when alfalfa has reached the bud stage. It is especially important that fields in which seed production is planned be scouted before bloom begins for foliage-feeding caterpillars. If infestations are found, they can be controlled with insecticide applications before pollinators begin working in fields. Additional information on insecticides registered for control of foliage-feeders can be found in OSU Extension Facts #7150. |
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| Richard Berberet,
Alfalfa Entomologist Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology Oklahoma State University |
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