Fall army worm is a dangerous pest and most destructive at larvae stage during the entire life cycle.
Its life cycle includes eggs, 6 growth stages of caterpillar development, pupa and moth.
This begins when 100 to 200 eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves near plant base close to junction of the leaf and stem.
After hatching, young caterpillars feed on leaves.
Caterpillars prefer eating leaf whorl in young plants and leaves around cob silk in mature plants.
They eat their way through protective leaf bracts into side of cob to feed on developing kernels which which kill growing point in young plants.
After 14 days, Caterpillars drop down and burrow 2 to 3cm beneath soil to pupate.
8-9 days later, adult moths emerge from ground and start cycle again.
