How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Larvae of the beet armyworm are dull green caterpillars with many fine, wavy, light-colored stripes down the back and a broader stripe along each side. They usually, but not always, have a dark spot on the side of the thorax above the second true leg. The adult is a small, mottled gray or dusky-winged moth. Females lay pale greenish or pinkish striated eggs in masses that are covered with white, cottony material.

DAMAGE

Beet armyworm is occasionally found on citrus feeding on foliage, but it rarely causes economic damage.

MANAGEMENT

As a minor pest of citrus, beet armyworm is rarely treated, in part because of natural enemies such as Hyposoter exiguae.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Citrus
UC ANR Publication 3441
Insects, Mites, and Snails
E. E. Grafton-Cardwell, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. G. Morse, Entomology, UC Riverside
N. V. O‘Connell, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
P. A. Phillips, UC IPM Program, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
C. E. Kallsen, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
D. R. Haviland, UC Cooperative Extension, Kern County
Acknowledgments for contributions to Insect, Mites, and Snails:
J. Barcinas, E. S. I., Corona, CA
R. Dunn, Badger Farming County, Exeter, CA
J. Gorden, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
H. Griffiths, E. S. I., Corona, CA
D. Machlitt, Consulting Entomology Services, Moorpark, CA
C. Musgrove, retired entomologist, Riverside, CA
K. Olsen, S & J Ranch, Pinedale, CA
T. Roberts, E. S. I., Corona, CA
J. Stewart, Pest Management Associates, Exeter, CA
P. Washburn, Washburn & Sons Citrus Pest Control, Riverside, CA
K. Godfrey, USDA Biological Control, Sacramento
D. Headrick, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
B. Faber, UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County
J. Kabashima, UC Cooperative Extension, South Coast Research and Extension Center

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