Sesbania rostrata and grow faster than seeded plants. "S. rostrata" is used as an intercrop with grasses such as rice ("Oryza sativa") and maize ("Zea mays"), as well as with legumes such as rice bean ("Vigna umbellata") and jointvetch ("Aeschynomene afraspera"). If intercropped with rice, it should be planted 30 days after the rice to prevent competition between the crops. "S. rostrata" grows in altitudes up to 1500–1600 m, and is able to endure waterlogged soils and flooding over 1 m deep. It tolerates bimodal and summer rainfall patterns, heavy to medium clay soils, neutral pH, free and impeded soil drainage. The
Mythimna separata light dorsal stripe, with black-brown lateral stripe along spiracle line. spiracles brown with black rim. Pupae are yellowish brown and shiny. The moth flies from January to April depending on the location. The larvae feed on a range of agricultural plants like "Zea mays", "Sorghum bicolor" and "Oryza sativa" and are thus considered a pest. Caterpillars do not feed on "Momordica charantia" due to the presence of the triterpenoid glucoside called momordicine II, which is a natural inhibitor of caterpillar actions. China experiences periodic outbreaks of northern armyworm infestation. The outbreak in 2012 was particularly severe. Larva can be hand