The stripes, one along each side and a broad one down the back, are dark, often nearly black. The stripe along the back usually has a fine light-colored broken line running down its center. The head is pale brown with a green tinge and mottled with dark brown. Small 6 to 8 inch corn plants are consumed entirely. Larger corn will have the midrib left.
Damage starts first at the field edges.
The larvae feed at night and hide in the soil during the day. Armyworms attack all grass-type crops, especially corn and the small grain. Timothy, millet bluegrass, and some legumes are also attacked. When armyworms are marching, many other plants are devoured. May. Two to three weeks later, adults emerge and lay eggs.