Armyworms By Mario Villarino
According to producers in east Hopkins County and Rains County, armyworms have been seen recently affecting crops in those regions of Northeast Texas.
According to Dr. Knutson, agricultural entomologist with Texas A&M Agrilife extension, two species of armyworms attack forage and field crops in north Texas. The fall armyworm is most abundant during August through early November in north Texas and feeds primarily on bermudagrass, wheat and rye grass, although it attacks many other crops. The true armyworm is common during April and May when it attacks wheat, rye grass, winter pastures, and seedling corn and sorghum. Both caterpillars can occur in very large numbers, can consume a crop almost overnight, and will move in large masses or armies to adjacent fields in search of food. Armyworms attack many different kinds of plants and when food is scarce, they can feed on plants not normally attacked. The fall armyworm apparently does not overwinter in north Texas. Moths fly north from south Texas each year to re-infest the area. Outbreaks often occur in late summer and fall and follow periods of rain which create favorable conditions for eggs and small larvae to survive. Irrigated fields are also highly attractive to moths for egg laying, especially during drought conditions.
Life Stages of the Fall Armyworm:
Eggs: Eggs are laid in masses of up to 50 eggs on the grass leaves and are difficult to find. The eggs are covered with the grey scales from the moths body, giving the egg mass a fuzzy appearance. Eggs hatch in 2-3 days.
Caterpillar: Fall armyworms are green, brown or black. A distinct white line between the eyes forms an inverted Y. Pattern on the face. There are four black spots aligned in a square on the top of the 8th segment near the back end of the caterpillar. Armyworms are very small at first, cause little plant damage and as a result infestations often go unnoticed. Larvae feed for 2-3 weeks and full grown larvae are about 1 to 1 1/2
inches long. Armyworms consume 80% of their total food intake during the last few days of development. Given their immense appetite, great numbers, and marching ability, armyworms can damage entire fields or pastures in a few days.
Once the armyworm completes feeding, in tunnels into the soil about an inch and enters the pupal stage.
Pupa:.The full grown armyworm tunnels into the soil and transforms to the pupae, an inactive, non-feeding stage. In 7-10 days, the moth emerges from the pupa and repeats the life cycle.
Moth: The fall armyworm moth has a wingspan of about 1-2 inches. The front pair of wings are dark gray with an irregular pattern of light and dark areas. Moths are active at night and common around lights at night. A single female can deposit up to 2000 eggs.
Development from egg to adult requires about 4 weeks during the summer and is longer during cool weather. There are several generations a year. Development ends with cold weather in November.
Management: The key to managing fall armyworms is to detect infestations before they have caused economic damage. Fall armyworm larvae feed primarily during the night and during cloudy weather. During the day, look for armyworms under loose soil and fallen leaves on the ground. The presence of chewed leaves can indicate armyworms are present. Small larvae chew the green layer from the leaves and leave a clearing or a window pane effect and consume only a small amount of foliage. For this reason, infestations can go unnoticed unless the field is closely inspected. Once larvae are greater than 3/4 inch, the quantity of leaves they eat increases dramatically. During the final 2-3 days of feeding, armyworms consume 80% of the total foliage consumed during their entire development. For this reason, extensive feeding damage can occur in a few days.
The density of armyworms sufficient to justify insecticide treatment will depend on the stage of crop growth and value of the crop. Seedling plants can tolerate fewer armyworms than established plants. Infestations of 2-3 armyworms per square foot may justify treatment. Hot, dry weather and natural enemies limit armyworm populations. Insect parasites such as wasps and flies, ground beetles, and other predators help suppress armyworm numbers. Diseases such as insect viruses and fungi can also be important. However, these natural enemies can be overwhelmed when large numbers of migrating moths lay thousands of eggs in a field. Armyworms often infest fields of volunteer wheat and weedy grasses in ditches and around field margins. Destruction of volunteer wheat and weedy grasses can eliminate these sources of armyworms.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
A Pinch Here, A Dash There Adds Up By Johanna Hicks
A Pinch Here, A Dash There Adds Up
Americans love their salt. A pinch here, a dash there, all adds up to too much. All that salt really does a job on your health – and not in a good way!
The American Heart Association indicates that most healthy people can consume 2,300 milligrams (mg) daily, or the equivalent of about 1 teaspoon. However, some individuals, especially over the age of 50, should attempt to hold it to 1,500 mg. The main reason is that too much salt raises your risk for high blood pressure, which can increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems.
If you salt your food without first tasting it, you are probably consuming too much sodium. The average American consumes about 3 teaspoons per day when we take into account the sodium contained in foods, naturally occurring sodium, and sodium added at the table.
There are several sneaky sources of sodium. About 75% comes from restaurant meals and packaged foods. The biggest culprits include soup, salad dressings, frozen entrees, cold cuts, cereal, breads and crackers, cottage cheese, and other cheeses.
Nutrition labels can be a big help in determining the amount of sodium in foods. Check the labels to keep tabs on your intake. If the sodium content is 5% or less of the daily value (DV), that means it is low in sodium. If it contains 20% DV or more sodium per serving, that is considered high, so another option would be best.
So what does the packaging tell us? Many foods are marketed as low-sodium, reduced sodium, no salt added, lightly salted…this can be confusing. Here are the definitions of the terms according to the Food and Drug Administration:
- Very low sodium: 35 mg of sodium or less per serving
- Low sodium: 140 mg of sodium or less per serving
- Reduced sodium: at least 25% less sodium that the regular product
- Light in sodium or lightly salted: at least 50% less than the regular product
- No salt added: this product does not have added sodium, but may have naturally occurring sodium, so check the nutrition label.
There is a misconception that specialty salts are more nutrition. All salt has the same amount of sodium, but larger granules (like those of sea salt) mean you get more flavor in one granule, so you can use less when sprinkling it on top of foods. Some specialty salts, such as Himalayan pink salts have minerals, but they occur in such tiny amounts that you don’t get any health benefits.
When buying table salt, get the iodized variety. Your body needs iodine for thyroid health (the gland that influences metabolism, growth, and body temperature) and, if pregnant, for your baby’s brain development.
Dr. Janet Brill, author of Blood Pressure Down, suggests that a good option if you’re trying to reduce sodium intake when cooking at home, is using low-sodium salt. It’s a mix of sodium chloride (typical salt) and potassium chloride. This alternative tastes a little less salty.
What about children? More than 90% of children ages 4 to 18 get too much sodium. The upper limit is 2,300 mg for them, too, so pay close attention to their salt intake.
Twogether In Texas Marriage Education Workshop
If you or someone you know will be getting married within the next 12 months, this workshop provides many benefits! Twogether in Texas is a face-to-face workshop focusing on marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals and dreams. Engaged couples who attend the workshop will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. However, married couples and seriously dating couples are also welcome!
Every week, I see names of couples in the newspaper who have applied for a marriage license, and they could have saved $60 by taking this workshop! Not only that, but strong marriages make strong families, strong families make strong communities, and strong communities make a strong society.
The final workshop for 2017 is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. We will start at 8:30 a.m., break for lunch, and finish the day around 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided, as well as coffee, water, and snacks throughout the day.
Did I mention that engaged couples will save $60 upon applying for a marriage license? Not only that, but the workshop is free of charge. However, I do need couples to call to reserve seats so we can make adequate arrangements for lunch and materials. Call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Closing Thought
Goals are dreams with deadlines – Diana Hunt
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Cool Summer Events at the SSSeniors Center
Sulphur Springs Senior’s Center Karon Weatherman keeps things hopping for her Seniors to enjoy…here’s a few to put on your calendar!
An Underutilized Asset in Sulphur Springs
By Savannah Owens
Burford Park’s Kids Kingdom doesn’t get a lot of Press. Why is that? It is a safe place for parents and caregivers to take their kids. There are walking trails, gazebos, a pavilion, Peavine Pinion pond, a skateboard park, and basketball court, in addition to the acre sized castle playground. Built in 1997, the park is still fairly new to the area. I fondly remember going to Buford Park with my mom and sister when we were little. Recently I’ve noticed the Park hasn’t had the same amount of traffic as it used to.
KSST met up with some locals to talk about why Buford Park is an important place in the community.
Ester Vaughn, a nanny for Samuel Lenington, said they visit the park at least 2 times a week. “It’s clean, fun, and enjoyable.” Vaughn explained why she loves coming to Kid’s Kingdom. “There’s plenty for [the kids] to do.”
Sharon Burney likes to visit Buford Park with her grandchildren: Avery and Nick, about 4 to 5 times a year. “The kids love Kid’s Kingdom, and I love the walking trails and [Peavine Pond]. I think it’s really pretty out here.” Burney said.
The Pavilion and Gazebos are perfect places for picnic lunches. Peavine Pinion Pond has a dock to walk around with beautiful views. There are big open spaces to throw a Frisbee or football around with friends. Buford Park is even pet friendly! Don’t leave those four legged friends at home to miss out on the fun, instead bring them along for some extra excitement.
Going to Buford Park is a great way to help get kids off the internet and outside-making memories that will last a lifetime. So the next time you’re trying to figure out somewhere to go for the afternoon, consider Buford Park.
Phase One of The Edge Ends; Resumes in Two Weeks
Thursday morning at The Edge conditioning program marked the end of phase one for high school athletes and the completion of The Edge for middle school athletes. After a two-week hiatus, The Edge for high school athletes only will resume on Monday, July 24.
At the end of The Edge for high school athletes Thursday morning, Wildcats Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens told them they had a good first four weeks. He encouraged them to continue to work on their fitness during the break. Coach Owens said the weight room would be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon for the next two weeks. He said the indoor facility should only be used for conditioning work instead of a punt, pass and kick playtime. It made it clear the facility should not be considered a kid sitting service for parents. Coach Owens said what an athlete put into the first four weeks of The Edge is what they got out of it. He noted participants are gaining confidence in themselves. Coach Owens said he was pleased by attendance during the week of the fourth of July holiday.
Around the fourth, about 75 athletes were present with about 50 high school athletes and around 25 from middle school.
“The Dog Days of Summer”-What Does the Term Mean?
By Savannah Owens
The term “Dog Days”-what does it really mean?
Being from Texas, I always assumed the term “dog days” was talking about the days when it’s so hot, not even the dogs can do anything but lay around and try to stay cool or when dogs go crazy from the heat.
But it’s actually based on the stars. Between July and August, the star Sirius from the Canis Major, and the Star Procyon from Canis Minor are visible. Canis Major and Minor are constellations that looks like dogs. Coincidentally, the star patterns typically appear in the Northern Hemisphere during the hottest time in the year, but are visible in other places at various times throughout the year. 
The dog constellations are typically thought to be following Orion, the famous Greek hunter, as they are his hunting dogs, and the three search for the rabbit constellation named Lepus. 
It is highly likely that in a few thousand years, with the slight shifting from the Earth on its axis and the stars moving slightly, we could be seeing the Canis Major star in winter. Then we’ll call it “the dog days of winter. When it’s so cold that even the dogs lie around the fire, trying to stay warm.”
For more information check out: this link.
BGCT Executive Director to Speak at FBC Sunday
Dr. David Hardage, former Pastor of First Baptist Church and now Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, will be the guest speaker Sunday morning, July 9th, at First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs. Dr. Hardage will speak in both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. morning worship services.
Dr. Hardage is the longest serving full-time pastor of First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs. He and his wife, Kathleen, currently live in Dallas.
Lady Cats Volleyball Campers
Submitted Photo
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness recently (June 26-28) offered an SSISD summer girls volleyball camp in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School that drew a nice group of campers. There was a morning session for girls entering the fourth through the seventh grade and an afternoon camp for girls entering eighth and ninth grade. Coach Maness was assisted by his wife Brittany, Lady Cats Assistant Coaches David Carrillo and Jerrod Hammack and Middle School Coach Josh Neill.
Submitted photo
Mother Arrested for Child Endangerment; Family Tested Positive for Meth
July 6, 2017 – Special Crimes Unit, working with Child Protective Services, arrested Dana Gandy-Haynsworth, 26, of Mt Vernon at CPS office Thursday afternoon. Gandy-Haynesworth was arrested for Child Endangerment, a State Jail Felony.
CPS opened an investigation in June of this year testing Gandy-Haynesworth, her husband and their 4-year old child. The 4-year old child tested positive for Methamphetamine. Both the biological mother and the biological father tested positive for a variety of controlled substances.
The investigation continues according to Special Crimes Unit.
Dana Lynn Gandy-Haynsworth
Gandy-Haynesworth is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $25,000 bond. The biological father is in a drug rehab program at this time. His arrest is pending his release. The 4-yr old child has been placed with relatives.
