Article by Luis Espino, Rice Farming Systems Advisor, Butte and Glenn Counties

Ten sites have been set up so far, mostly on the west side of the valley where planting has moved a bit quicker than in the rest of the valley. 

Overall, the numbers have gone down from where they were a week or two ago. The decline is because the number of western yellowstriped armyworm moths has come down. I still have not heard of any other crops being affected, so it is not clear if the high number of western yellowstriped armyworm moths will result in a high number of larvae in crops or vegetation. Most likely rice won’t be affected, since most rice is still too small to allow the worms to feed on it without drowning. Just in case, keep an eye on early planted rice that is being drained for herbicide application.

True armyworm numbers are low, as expected, averaging less than one moth per night this week. In the past four years, the true armyworm it’s been the one causing severe defoliation in rice.

Figures available on the website: http://rice.ucanr.edu/Armyworm_traps/