Fall armyworm

Spodoptera frugiperda

To differentiate this larva from other armyworm species or corn earworm one needs to look at the head of the insect. The fall armyworm's head has a predominant white, inverted Y-shaped suture between the eyes.
Moths are typically attracted to fields of late-maturing corn to lay their eggs. The larvae are primarily daytime feeders. They appear in corn fields late in the season, from mid-July through harvest. Fall armyworm, unlike armyworm, are typically found damaging corn in patches throughout a field.