The document summarizes an Alabama program that distributed sweep nets to cattle and forage producers to help them monitor and manage fall armyworm infestations. In 2010, fall armyworms caused $800,000 in damage due to drought and heat. The program distributed 140 sweep nets and educated producers on monitoring with a video and publications. Producers reported armyworm locations, saving $817,920 worth of forage in 2011. Each net helped save an average of 60 acres of forage and helped 1.3 other producers, providing a $115 return for each $1 spent.

1. Stopping the March of Fall Armyworms
(Alabama's Sweep Net Monitoring Program)
William "Ken" Kelley, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (175 4-H Ag Science Dr., Suite D, Brewton, AL 36426,
kellewi@aces.edu) and Kathy Flanders, Auburn University (201 Extension Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849, flandkl@auburn.edu)
Abstract Outcomes and Impacts
Fall armyworms had a devastating impact on Alabama livestock Cattlemen changed their behavior by using
and forage producers in 2010. Drought conditions and high the sweep nets to scout for fall
temperatures provided an optimum environment for the pest to armyworms. The program saved forage
do hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to Alabama
forage crops. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and producers of Alabama $800,000 in 2011.
the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association worked together to help Each cattleman who used a sweep net
keep forage producers informed of armyworm movement and saved an average 60 acres of forage on his
management options in 2011 in an effort to keep from farm by finding fall armyworms early, and
replicating the disaster of 2010. Sweep nets were purchased by
the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and distributed by the helped an average 1.3 other cattlemen find
Alabama Cooperative Extension System. A YouTube video was fall armyworms, resulting in 138 acres
filmed to illustrate proper armyworm scouting techniques using saved per sweep net. Program cost was
the sweep nets. A timely information sheet was published approximately $7,000, resulting in a return
explaining armyworm movements and control, as well as how to
use sweep nets. Sweep nets were distributed to numerous cattle of $115 for each dollar of input cost.
and forage producers, and to the local county extension offices. Ken Kelley demonstrates proper use of a sweep net.
Regional and County agents addressed local and state
cattlemen’s groups to inform them of how to use the sweep nets
and how to control armyworms if they were detected. A website
was created to highlight where armyworms had been located in Activities and Outputs
the state, and a listserv was formed to get the information to as • 140 sweep nets ($30 each) were distributed to County
large of an audience as possible. The program proved highly Extension offices and Alabama Cattlemen
successful, saving the forage producers of Alabama
approximately $817,920. • Stakeholders reported when and where fall armyworms had
been found in Alabama forages
• Alabamaarmyworms@aces.edu e‐mail listserv established to
inform stakeholders where and when armyworms had been
found in Alabama
• Extension agents informed clientele about the sweep net
program via group meetings, phone calls, newspaper articles,
radio, Facebook or web pages, and direct mail newsletters
• The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association kept cattlemen
informed of the program and the presence of the fall
armyworm using blog posts, Facebook, and direct e‐mails to
their mailing list
• Interactive map showed which cattlemen had sweep nets,
and documented where and when damaging fall armyworm
populations were discovered in summer 2011. See
Fall armyworms ate the grass in the pasture on the left, then moved into the http://maps.acesag.auburn.edu/Alabama_Armyworm_Watch
adjacent pasture.
/default.aspx Fall armyworms were first found on July 3 (lightest gold
color). By the end of August (red) fall armyworm outbreaks
The Situation • YouTube video demonstrating how to look for fall armyworms had been reported in two thirds of Alabama's 67 counties.
All too often forage producers discover fall (How to Use a Sweep Net to Find Fall Armyworms,
armyworms, Spodoptera frugiperda, after the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71wdf8P33bQ
insects have destroyed most of the forage crop. • Two Alabama Cattlemen Magazine Articles explained biology
Each year, several million acres of forage in and management of fall armyworms
Alabama are vulnerable to attack by fall
armyworm, including bermudagrass hayfields,
summer forages such as brown‐top millet, and
bahiagrass pastures.
During the first 10 days of feeding, a fall
armyworm caterpillar does not eat much. If fall
armyworms can be found during this time, an
insecticide application can prevent the damage
that they cause. The objective of this program was
to show forage producers that they can avoid
A fully grown losing forage to fall armyworms by scouting fields
fall armyworm Fall armyworms that were found using a sweep net.
using a sweep net.