Staff from the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries continue to monitor for true armyworm and other risks to the region's forage crops four years after an unprecedented and sudden outbreak of the insect on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley.
True armyworm poses a serious threat to growers in the region as the insect can quickly consume healthy grass and corn crops.
Ten true armyworm moths on Vancouver Island and six in the Fraser Valley were trapped over many weeks this spring, according to Provincial Entomologist Tracy Hueppelsheuser.
In Canada, the true armyworm is not known to overwinter. It can, however, move to British Columbia from southern climes.
Moths moved northwards on wind currents from the southern US, which caused an infestation in the Alberni and Fraser Valleys back in 2017. For local producers, the numbers were big enough to pose a major concern.
While specialists tried to find out what was going on, the moths laid eggs and the larvae destroyed healthy grass and corn crops.
The fact that there are so few armyworm moths this year should come as a relief to forage producers.
Trapping is expected to last until at least August 31.