Influence of Defoliation by the Cutworm Melipotis idomita on Control of Honey Mesquite with 2,4,5-T in West Texas

Abstract

Cutworms, Melipotis indomita (Walker), caused severe defoliation of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr. var. glandulosa) on heavy clay and bottomland range sites in the Rolling Plains of Texas following a late spring freeze and a drought in 1971. In some areas cutworms reduced mesquite foliage by 95%. The percent of honey mesquite killed with foliar application of 2,4,5-T was very low on both sites and was not influenced by the degree of defoliation by cutworms.