— by Dr. Jeff Whitworth, Dr. Holly Schwarting and J.R. Ewing
Green cloverworms have been causing considerable concern throughout the eastern 2/3rd’s of Kansas. This has resulted in many acres treated to limit defoliation caused by these fragile little green and white striped worms. Fungal-infected green cloverworms are also relatively common. This fungus usually helps regulate green cloverworm populations, but remember, there is a lag time before the fungal infection decimates the larval populations, unlike an insecticide which usually works very quickly.
There are also a few yellowstriped armyworms still causing defoliation. However, one yellowstriped armyworm larva collected in south east Kansas, brought into the lab appearing healthy, succumbed to a pathogen, probably a virus, within 3 days. So, there are other factors working to help control many pest populations, i.e. fungal and viral pathogens.
