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Lesson Nine |
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Biological Pest Control 9-1 |
Pest:
Beet Armyworm
| The beet armyworm is a major pest of fresh market tomatoes. Each larvae may damage several fruit, leaving shallow gouges that make the fruit unmar- ketable. Newly hatched larvae feed together near the egg cluster and gradually disperse as they grow. They skeletonize leaves and may leave a webbing on the feeding site. Older larvae chew irregular pieces from leaves and feed on green fruit. |
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Beet armyworm eggs are laid in clusters covered with hair-like scales left by the female moth.
There may be 100 or more per cluster. Larvae are usually dull green with many fine, wavy,
light colored stripes down the back and a broader stripe along each side. The adult beet army-
worms are smooth skinned, without any obvious hairs.
Biological control
| Hyposoter exiguae This parasitic wasp is a natural enemy of beet armyworms. It |
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