Five counties in Arkansas have been declared “Primary Natural Disaster Areas” by the US Department of Agriculture due to an invasion of armyworms.

The armyworm invades grasses, small grain crops and corn primarily but can attack other crops. The worm feeds and moves at night and on cloudy days so infestations can take time to be noticed by farmers. The worms are capable of destroying entire crops.

“Assistance at this point and time is critically important for producers in Arkansas,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release. “Especially in helping them keep their farmland healthy for the remainder of the year.”

Farmers in counties connected to the five primary natural disaster areas are also eligible for support from the USDA because of the risk of migration of the worms to their crops.

The counties were designated natural disaster areas June 20 making all farm operators in the areas eligible for low interest emergency loans.