The mission of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals (MALP) is to exemplify leadership by offering education to its membership, the industry, and the community.

Army Worms

Class: Insecta, Order: Lepidoptera, Superfamily: Noctuoidea, Family: Noctuidae, Genus: Spodoptera, Species: S. frugiperda, Binomial name:
Spodoptera frugiperda
(Army worms are caterpillars.)

Plants Affected
  • Seashore paspalum, Bermuda lawns
How They Eat
  • Chewing
Signs & Symptoms
  • Yellow spots will begin to appear in lawns

  • Blades of grass will be eaten down to stems

  • Heavily infested areas turn brown then weeds fill the voids

  • Birds become frequent visitors

  • Cover affected area with a piece of plywood then look after a few hours to confirm worms
How to Fix the Problem
  • Most active in summer

  • Look for symptoms and treat promptly

  • Treat with Dipel (bacterial based insecticide) may work