The maize armyworm is a migratory and destructive pest that primarily affects the early growth stages of corn. Its feeding habits are highly complex, with a preference for corn leaves, which leads to characteristic notches on the leaf edges. In severe infestations, entire leaves can be consumed, leaving only the stalks behind, which ultimately results in poor or no yield.
This pest has strong reproductive capabilities and is selective about its egg-laying sites. It tends to lay eggs in the dead leaf tips of tall crops such as corn and sorghum. After hatching, the larvae feed intensively on the leaves near the whorl of the plant. By the third instar stage, the leaves begin to appear cut short, while the fifth instar is the most voracious, capable of completely devouring the foliage. The larvae often reside within the whorl, along with leafhoppers and developing ears, making them difficult to detect and control.
One unique behavior of the armyworm is its "false death" response, where it appears motionless when disturbed. Additionally, larvae older than the third instar may engage in self-mutilation, and those older than four instars are capable of migrating to new areas, expanding the damage. Larvae are most active during the evening, early morning, and after rainfall. Adult moths are attracted to nectar-rich plants and show a strong attraction to black light and sweet-sour liquid mixtures.
The maize armyworm thrives in warm and humid conditions. While moderate rainfall generally favors its population growth, heavy rain and sudden drops in temperature can hinder adult egg-laying. Fields with dense vegetation, low elevation, and high weed density are particularly vulnerable to infestations.
For control, chemical methods are effective when applied before the third instar. Recommended options include 20% cypermethrin EC at 15–45 g per 50 kg of water, or 5% emulsifiable concentrate diluted 1000–1500 times, 40% oxymatrine at 1500–2000 times, or 10% Da Gongchen at 2000–2500 times. Ecological approaches include using diflubenzuron (1–3 mg/L) during the early larval stage, which helps preserve natural predators while minimizing crop damage and environmental pollution. Combining these methods with black light traps and sweet-sour bait mixtures during peak activity periods can significantly reduce armyworm populations.
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