Mid-Atlantic Region - CCA Exam Study Guide - Competency Area 3 - Management of Insects and Other Invertebrates

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Study guide for the CCA Exam focused on Competency Area 3: Management of Insects and Other Invertebrates in the Mid-Atlantic region. Covers identification traits, life cycle timing, and specific damage patterns for field corn pests including true armyworm, slugs, and stink bugs. Provides practical alternative control strategies such as cultural practices, habitat and planting timing considerations, and Bt corn guidance for early small larvae. Notes overwintering behavior and susceptibility stages.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages87

Reading Time3 h 39 min

AccessFree to download

Mid-Atlantic Region

Field Corn - True Armyworm

Life Cycle

Damage

Alternative Controls

Field Corn - Slugs

Life Cycle

Damage

Alternative Controls

Field Corn - Stink Bugs

Life Cycle

Damage

# Mid-Atlantic Region CCA Exam Study Guide Competency Area 3 – Management of Insects and Other InvertebratesDavid Owens, Joanne Whalen, Joe Deidesheimer, Marty Spellman, and ChristieHurt ## Field Corn – True Armyworm Identification ´ Larvae with parallel white, dark,and pinkish stripes on the side ofthe body ´ Larval head capsule with twoparallel dark lines ´ Adult: straw colored moth withtwo white spots surrounded bydark area on wing. ## Life Cycle ´ Moths emerge in April ´ Lay eggs on grasses ´ Larvae feed on small grains andfield corn then pupate in soil orunder debris ´ 3-4 generations/year ´ overwinter as partially grownlarvae Adam Varenhorst John Capinera ## Field Corn – True Armyworm Damage ´ Larvae feed in late spring-earlysummer on early mid-whorl stagecorn ´ Attack small/seedling stage cornin no-till ´ Do not damage growing point Adam Varenhorst ## Field Corn – True Armyworm Alternative Controls ´ Avoid planting near small grains ´ Avoid planting into no-till small grain cover crop or when terminated lessthan 2 weeks prior to planting ´ Bt Corn – for small larvae only present at planting time/ no-till covers ## Field Corn - Slugs Life Cycle ´ Overwinter as egg, immature oradult ´ Feed on seedling corn leaves,young sprouts, and seeds ´ 2 species: Marsh slugs (Derocerasleave ) and Grey Garden Slugs(Deroceras reticulatum) Ohio State University Marsh Slug Grey Garden Slug Ohio State University eggs ## Field Corn - Slugs Damage ´ Feeding occurs in spring whencool and wet on young cornleaves (spike-3 leaf stage),sprouts, seeds ´ Leaves have a shreddedappearance, slime trails may beseen on leaf surface ´ Favored by no-till; surface residue;wet conditions; poor seed furrowclosure Field Corn - Slugs ## Alternative Controls ´ Cultural practices to enhance and favor early seedling growth and vigorincluding starter fertilizer, row cleaners ´ Tillage, strip tillage, and vertical tillage to reduce surface residue and warmseedling faster ## Field Corn - Stink Bugs Life Cycle ´ Egg, nymph (immature), adult ´ Overwinters as adult in leaf litteror debris ´ Brown stink bugs move to wheatin April and begin reproducing,then to corn in late spring ´ Green stink bugs develop first onwoody hosts such as black cherrybefore moving to corn Brown Stink Bug Green Stink Bug Brown Marmorated Stink Bug David R. Lance Photo by Herb Pilcher Photograph by Herb Pilcher,USDA-ARS, Bugwood.org. ## Field Corn –Stink Bug Damage ´ Feeds on seedling plants ´ Inserts mouthpart into stalk andgrowing point ´ Causes deformed, twisted plants,wilting of new leaves, elongatedfeeding holes, and tillering ´ Most susceptible at spike to 4-leafstage and corn no-tilled intowheat P. Thomason P. Thomason Dominic Reisig, NCSU ## Field Corn –Stink Bug Damage ´ Feeding between V14 and VTcan cause hooked ears ´ Feeding between R1 and R2 cancause shriveled or sunken kernelsthat may be susceptible todisease P. Thomason Dominic Reisig, NCSU

FAQs

How can true armyworm larvae and adult moths be identified?

Larvae have parallel white, dark, and pinkish side stripes, and the larval head capsule shows two parallel dark lines. Adults are straw-colored moths with two white spots surrounded by a dark area on the wing.

What are the main life-cycle and timing points for true armyworm and stink bugs?

True armyworm moths emerge in April, lay eggs on grasses, and develop through 3–4 generations per year, overwintering as partially grown larvae. Stink bugs overwinter as adults in leaf litter or debris, with brown stink bugs moving to wheat in April and green stink bugs developing first on woody hosts before moving to corn in late spring.

What alternative control strategies are recommended for field corn pests?

For true armyworm, recommendations include avoiding planting near small grains and avoiding certain no-till cover crop situations when termination is less than two weeks before planting, with Bt corn noted for small larvae present at planting time. For slugs, cultural and tillage practices are suggested to enhance early seedling vigor and reduce surface residue so seedlings establish faster.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys