Cutworms are the larvae (caterpillars) of several species of night-flying moths. The larvae are called cutworms because they cut down young plants as they feed on stems at or below the soil surface. If you have ever gone out to your garden and found a small seedling suspiciously laying on the ground, it was most likely a cutworm.
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There are also species of climbing cutworms that move up the stem and feed upon foliage, buds and shoots. The adult cutworm is a night-flying moth and do not cause damage. As general feeders, most cutworms attack a wide range of plants. Some common vegetable hosts include asparagus, beans, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. In addition, a few cutworm species feed on turfgrass.
Identifying Cutworms
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The most common species of cutworm occurring in gardens are the bronzed cutworm, variegated cutworm, black cutworm, dingy cutworm, glassy cutworm and army cutworm.
Cutworms can be quite distinct from one another, and their coloring can vary from brown or tan to pink, green or gray and black. Some cutworms are a uniform color while others are spotted or striped. Some larvae are dull and others appear glossy or shiny. Cutworms curl up into a tight "C" when disturbed.
Adult moths are moderate sized, brown or black insects showing various splotches, or stripes in shades of gray, brown, black or white. They generally have a body length of about one inch with wingspans up to 1½ inches across. Typically, the front wings are darker than the hind wings and are patterned.
Life Cycle
Female moths can lay hundreds of eggs, singly or in small clusters. They typically deposit them on low-growing plants and on plant residue. Migrating moths lay eggs on the soil and the larvae hatch to feed on plants. Young larvae feed on the foliage or small roots of weeds or crops until they reach about ½ inch in length. Emerging or newly emerged weeds can be very attractive sites for egg laying and feeding by small larvae. At this stage, they can begin feeding on seedling stems, either cutting through them or burrowing into them. Corn, peppers, tomatoes, beans, and the crucifer family are common hosts, but they will attack many kinds of herbaceous plants.
![cutworm2]()
Cutworm larvae grow as large as two inches long. They may go through as many as three generations per year. Native cutworms overwinter in weedy areas, grassy fields or pastures. It is often in these areas and along field borders where problems arise. If weeds are permitted to grow in the fall after crop harvest and the fall and winter seasons are mild, large numbers of cutworms may survive to attack vegetables in the spring.
Cutworm abundance and development is greatly affected by weather, especially rainfall. Moths mate and lay eggs from early spring (black cutworm) to late summer/fall (dingy, glassy, and bronzed cutworm), beginning the next generation.
Getting Rid Of Cutworms
Regularly check your vegetable garden, especially during late afternoon and evening when cutworms are more active, so you can detect their activity when they are first present. Also inspect your plants in the morning when damage is fresh and easier to see. Watch for plants cut off near the ground or plants that are noticeably wilting (when cutworms chew on the stems but do not sever the plant). You may also detect droppings on the ground, which can indicate cutworm feeding. To verify cutworms are present, run your hand over the soil, rolling over soil clumps and other potential hiding places within a one foot square area of the damage.
![cutworm_d]()
Control of cutworms is more effective when the larvae are small. For some crops, such as tomatoes, peppers and celery, you may need to monitor for cutworms until harvest.
Remove weeds and plant residue to help reduce egg-laying sites and seedling weeds that nourish small cutworms. Till your garden before planting which helps expose and kill overwintering larvae. Tilling also removes plant residue, which helps to discourage egg laying. Avoid using green manure as this may encourage egg laying, instead use compost. Till your garden in the fall; this helps destroy or expose overwintering larvae or pupae.
You can prevent cutworms by placing aluminum foil or cardboard collars around transplants. This creates a barrier that physically prevents cutworm larvae from feeding on plants. When placing these collars around plants, make sure one end is pushed a few inches into the soil, and the other end extends several inches above ground. This should prevent most species of cutworms from getting to your plants.
The use of organic insecticides in home gardens is usually not necessary, but you can protect plants with a residual product if you are experiencing a severe problem. Treat the stems or the foliage (for climbing cutworms). For the best results, apply organic insecticides in the evening.
Control Cutworms In Your Garden!
There are also species of climbing cutworms that move up the stem and feed upon foliage, buds and shoots. The adult cutworm is a night-flying moth and do not cause damage. As general feeders, most cutworms attack a wide range of plants. Some common vegetable hosts include asparagus, beans, cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. In addition, a few cutworm species feed on turfgrass.
Identifying Cutworms
Cutworms can be quite distinct from one another, and their coloring can vary from brown or tan to pink, green or gray and black. Some cutworms are a uniform color while others are spotted or striped. Some larvae are dull and others appear glossy or shiny. Cutworms curl up into a tight "C" when disturbed.
Adult moths are moderate sized, brown or black insects showing various splotches, or stripes in shades of gray, brown, black or white. They generally have a body length of about one inch with wingspans up to 1½ inches across. Typically, the front wings are darker than the hind wings and are patterned.
Life Cycle
Female moths can lay hundreds of eggs, singly or in small clusters. They typically deposit them on low-growing plants and on plant residue. Migrating moths lay eggs on the soil and the larvae hatch to feed on plants. Young larvae feed on the foliage or small roots of weeds or crops until they reach about ½ inch in length. Emerging or newly emerged weeds can be very attractive sites for egg laying and feeding by small larvae. At this stage, they can begin feeding on seedling stems, either cutting through them or burrowing into them. Corn, peppers, tomatoes, beans, and the crucifer family are common hosts, but they will attack many kinds of herbaceous plants.
Cutworm larvae grow as large as two inches long. They may go through as many as three generations per year. Native cutworms overwinter in weedy areas, grassy fields or pastures. It is often in these areas and along field borders where problems arise. If weeds are permitted to grow in the fall after crop harvest and the fall and winter seasons are mild, large numbers of cutworms may survive to attack vegetables in the spring.
Cutworm abundance and development is greatly affected by weather, especially rainfall. Moths mate and lay eggs from early spring (black cutworm) to late summer/fall (dingy, glassy, and bronzed cutworm), beginning the next generation.
Getting Rid Of Cutworms
Regularly check your vegetable garden, especially during late afternoon and evening when cutworms are more active, so you can detect their activity when they are first present. Also inspect your plants in the morning when damage is fresh and easier to see. Watch for plants cut off near the ground or plants that are noticeably wilting (when cutworms chew on the stems but do not sever the plant). You may also detect droppings on the ground, which can indicate cutworm feeding. To verify cutworms are present, run your hand over the soil, rolling over soil clumps and other potential hiding places within a one foot square area of the damage.
Control of cutworms is more effective when the larvae are small. For some crops, such as tomatoes, peppers and celery, you may need to monitor for cutworms until harvest.
Remove weeds and plant residue to help reduce egg-laying sites and seedling weeds that nourish small cutworms. Till your garden before planting which helps expose and kill overwintering larvae. Tilling also removes plant residue, which helps to discourage egg laying. Avoid using green manure as this may encourage egg laying, instead use compost. Till your garden in the fall; this helps destroy or expose overwintering larvae or pupae.
You can prevent cutworms by placing aluminum foil or cardboard collars around transplants. This creates a barrier that physically prevents cutworm larvae from feeding on plants. When placing these collars around plants, make sure one end is pushed a few inches into the soil, and the other end extends several inches above ground. This should prevent most species of cutworms from getting to your plants.
The use of organic insecticides in home gardens is usually not necessary, but you can protect plants with a residual product if you are experiencing a severe problem. Treat the stems or the foliage (for climbing cutworms). For the best results, apply organic insecticides in the evening.
Control Cutworms In Your Garden!
