What stage of development do armyworms and cutworms represent when they are referred to in pest control?

Armyworms and cutworms are primarily referenced in pest control during their larval stage of development. This is the stage where they are more active and cause the most damage to turf and plants. As larvae, they are voracious feeders, consuming foliage and creating significant damage to the grass or crop they infest.

The adult stage of these pests, which refers to the moths, does not contribute to the immediate damage seen in lawns and agricultural settings, as they are primarily concerned with reproduction rather than feeding. The nymph stage applies to insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, which does not include armyworms or cutworms, as they undergo complete metamorphosis. Pupae represent a transitional stage where the insects are in a cocoon-like state, and they are not relevant to pest control activity during this phase, again because they are not actively feeding or causing damage.

Therefore, recognizing the larvae stage as the critical phase for intervention in pest management is essential to effectively control populations of armyworms and cutworms, which helps in sustaining the health and integrity of turf.