Management of the Beet Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Cotton: Role of Natural Enemies

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), has recently become a persistent and explosive pest of cotton in the southeastern United States. It is, however, attacked by a large and diverse complex of beneficial arthropods and pathogens that appear capable of maintaining beet armyworm populations below economically-damaging levels. Disruption of this complex contributes to outbreaks of S. exigua. It can also exacerbate problems with other pests because the complex of beneficial organisms attacking the beet armyworm is comprised of generalist species that also suppress other pests in the cotton production system. Management of the beet armyworm through conservation of its natural enemies, therefore, provides multiple benefits to growers by managing other pests as well.