He said the worms ranged from half an inch to three quarters of an inch. Adult worms reach as long as an inch and a half. According to Kepler, army worms travel great distances when, while in the moth stage, they ride jetstreams from the south and seek out grassy areas. The pests get their name because of their ability to seemingly march in unison across fields, leaving behind severe crop devastation. They prefer emerging corn, wheat, rye and other tall grasses, but will munch on soybeans if they have to.
Army worms prefer being active at night or during overcast days, avoiding open sunlight.
The moth is tan, about an inch long with a tiny white dot on each forewing. The worm is a hairless caterpillar with greenish and dark stripes running the length of its body. There's a lot of potential for damage. I want people to be on the lookout for it. Kepler said local farmers won't be the only people affected by the infestation and cautioned homeowners in urban areas to also be on the lookout for the worms, or the moths they come from.