Cumberland County Master Gardeners

Army worms are destructive caterpillars that feed on a wide variety of plants, especially grasses like lawns, crops, and pastures. They get their name from their behavior of moving across fields in large groups, resembling an army. Army worms typically hatch from eggs laid by moths, and in their larval stage, they can cause significant damage to plants by consuming foliage rapidly. Outbreaks are most common during warm, wet seasons, and infestations can devastate crops, turf, and landscapes if not controlled quickly.