Fall Armyworm Larvae (Hatchlings)

Scientific Name: Spodoptera frugiperda

Order & Family: Order Lepidoptera, Family Noctuidae

Size: 1-2 mm as newly hatched larvae (hatchlings), growing up to 32-38 mm as mature larvae.

Fall Armyworm Larvae (Hatchlings)

Natural Habitat

Grassy areas, agricultural fields, and frequently found on outdoor walls or structures near egg masses.

Diet & Feeding

Broad range of plants including grasses, corn, sorghum, soybeans, and other leafy vegetation.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae hatch in large clusters and typically disperse via silk threads (ballooning) to find host plants. They are nocturnal feeders in later stages.

Risks & Benefits

Significant agricultural pests that can cause rapid crop and lawn devastation; they pose no direct physical harm to humans but are an economic threat.

Identified on: 4/2/2026