There are three common varieties of cutworms: black cutworm, granulate cutworm, and variegated cutworm. Cutworms are the larvae of various moth species in the family Noctuidae. They overwinter in the soil as larvae and emerge in the spring, developing into moths within 20-40 days. Cutworms feed at night and cut off seedling plants at the soil surface or eat foliage and fruit later in the season. Management strategies include tilling soil before planting to destroy plant residue and using barriers like cardboard or cloth around seedlings to prevent cutting.

1. There are three common cutworm varieties
Black Cutworm: Agrotis ipsilon
Granulate Cutworm:
Feltia subterranean
Variegated Cutworm:
Peridroma saucia

2. Cutworms are the larvae of various
species of Noctuidae moths.
They are usually green,
brown, grey, or yellow,
often with longitudinal
stripes, up to 5 cm in length.

3. The larvae are soft and fat,
and roll up when disturbed.
In many climates,
cutworms will winter
under the soil, while
they transform from
larvae to pupae.
Lifecycle

4. Cutworms usually emerge in the spring, and
start feeding when temperatures rise. They
develop into adults (moths) in 20-40 days.
Lifecycle

5. Cutworms cut seedling plants off at the
soil surface, causing the plants to fall over.
Crop Damage
Photo: umn.edu

6. They can also occur later in the season,
feeding on foliage and occasionally on fruit.
Photo: ipm.missouri.edu
Crop Damage
Corn and Tomato Damage

7. The worms feed mostly at night.
During the day they may be found curled up in the
damaged fruit or in the soil clods around the plant.
Crop Damage

8. Control cutworms by tilling at least 2
weeks before planting to destroy plant
residue that may be harboring larvae.
Management
This is especially
important if the
previous crop was
alfalfa or other
legumes, or weeds.

9. In vegetable gardens, protect seedlings with
cardboard collars, screen, or protective cloth.
A toilet paper tube or newspaper
wrapped around seedling stems will
block cutworms from attacking
Management Photo: joenesgarden.com