Armyworms in Wheat

Insecticides for Control of Armyworms in Wheat

Updated May 4, 2006 by Gary Hein and John Thomas

Economic Threshold:
Consider treating armyworm infestations in wheat if all of the following conditions are met:
  1. Larval counts exceed the appropriate level: preheading = 5 larvae per square foot; head clipping = 2 larvae per square foot.
  2. Larvae are 0.75 to 1.25 inches in length.
  3. Most larvae are not parasitized. (Look for white eggs behind the head or small brown cocoons attached to the body.)
  4. Leaf feeding or head clipping is evident.
This list is not inclusive. See http://www.greenbook.net or other resources for additional registrations.
This information is presented in abbreviated form. Be sure to consult the label for additional information and restrictions.
IRAC Mode of Action Classification:
  • Group 1 = Acetylcholine esterase inhibitors; 1A = Carbamates; 1B = Organophosphates
  • Group 3 = Sodium channel modulators
  • Group 5 = Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists (allosteric), Spinosyns
  • Group 11 = Microbial distuptors of insect midgut membranes (includes transgenic crops expressing Bacillus); 11B2 = B. t. subsp. kurstaki
R = Restricted-Use Product * = Suitable for chemigation ai = active ingredient REI = Re-Entry Interval
Mode of
Action 		Product
Name 		Common
Name 		Rate Restrictions/Comments
3 R Baythroid 2* cyfluthrin 1.8 - 2.4 oz/A Do not apply within 30 days of harvest or 7 days of grazing. REI 12 days.
11B2 Multiple formulations Bacillus thuringiensis See labels for rates. No pre-harvest interval. REI 4 hrs.
1B R Methyl 4EC methyl parathion 0.75 lb ai/A To third instar larvae. Do not apply within 15 days of harvest. REI 5 days.
1A R Lannate
(Multiple Products) 		methomyl 0.225 - 0.45 lb ai/A Do not apply within 7 days of harvest.
REI 48 hrs.
3 R Mustang Max zeta-cypermethrin 1.76 - 4.0 oz/A Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. REI 12 hrs.
1B R Penncap-M methyl parathion 2 - 3 pts/A Do not apply within 15 days of harvest. REI 5 days.
3 R Proaxis gamma-cyhalothrin 2.56 - 3.84 oz/A Do not apply within 30 days of harvest. REI 24 hrs.
1A Sevin*,
Carbaryl 4L*
(Multiple Products) 		carbaryl 1 - 1.5 lbs ai/A Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. Forage or pasture interval 0 days. REI 12 hrs.
5 R Success*,
Entrust*,
Tracer* 		spinosad 0.03 - 0.09 lb ai/A Do not apply within 21 days of harvest. REI 4 hrs.
3 R Warrior*,
generics 		lambda-cyhalothrin 2.56 - 3.84 oz/A Do not apply within 30 days of harvest. REI 24 hrs.