However, the small, young larvae can be found if you look for them carefully. Densities as great as 20 to 25 larvae per 10 sweeps have been reported in some western Kentucky wheat fields. The larvae were very small and difficult to find without the aid of a sweep net. Young larvae are pale green in color, although longitudinal stripes are apparent, and the head is yellowish brown. They move in a looping motion.
Older larvae are greenish brown and more prominently striped.
You can usually see a narrow, broken stripe along the center of the back and three stripes along each side of the body, at least one of which appears pale orange. The tan head is mottled with dark brown. In wheat, larvae feed on leaves, working their way up from the bottom of plants. Injury to lower leaves causes no economic loss, but injury to the upper leaves, especially the flag leaf, can result in yield reduction. If the armyworms devour the flag leaves, they can chew into the tender stem just below the head and clip off heads.