Worm identification

[Smkj79]

Can anyone identify this worm on my cherry tree ?

 

[Chuck]

Can anyone identify this worm on my cherry tree ?View attachment 59778

Looks like a variety of army worm. There are literally dozens of different varieties but they all share the same traits. They arrive in great numbers and devour just about everything. Here in Texas they will destroy acres of crops over night. Bt kills them very effectively.

 

[DirtMechanic]

They are moths without a pilots license.

 

[Smkj79]

Looks like a variety of army worm. There are literally dozens of different varieties but they all share the same traits. They arrive in great numbers and devour just about everything. Here in Texas they will destroy acres of crops over night. Bt kills them very effectively.

Thanks

 

[DirtMechanic]

What is interesting about the moths is that there are early, mid, and late flights. Although they are all called army worms, they are different. And they will come back next year, usually to a lesser degree, so hit them hard.

 

[Chuck]

Yes, @DirtMechanic is correct. This flight of varieties is called the Fall Army Worm. It seems as if they are fairly specific caterpillars in what they devour. Some eat grass, some eat trees and some leave grass alone and will eat green beans down to the ground. In your case I'd guess that they eat fruit trees. So, it being the time of year leaves fall and the worms are eating the leaves, it means that the reproductive means of the worm, the moth eggs, will soon be in the soil after the worms pupate. The best way of destroying these eggs is with beneficial nematodes but you have to know which nematode to apply. If it gets cold where you live the eggs will overwinter in the soil and applying the nematodes in the spring is your best bet. Killing the worms now is a great idea but each worm only makes one moth and one moth lays a bunch of eggs which in turn makes a bunch of moths. Spraying Bt Worm Killer will kill the worms within 4 hours. A spinosad based product will kill in 8-12 hours but the worm has to ingest both products. Spinosad takes longer to kill but is actually the better of the two products because it lasts longer on the plant. Sunlight kills the effectiveness of both products but with Bt it is much quicker.