If damage or larvae are discovered, you can: Cutworms are active throughout the summer but are rarely a problem after spring.
Damage is most severe in the early season when plants are small and have tender tissue.New transplants or young plants have more chances of injury because their stems are more tender.Cutworms feed in the evening or night and hide in plant debris during the day.Species such as glassy cutworms remain in the soil and feed upon roots and underground parts of the plant.The variegated cutworm can climb the stem of trees, shrubs, vines and garden plants and eat the leaves, buds and fruit.Black, bronzed and army cutworms can cause serious injuries, attacking and cutting new plants nightly.When their numbers are high, there can be severe damage to a garden. This feeding causes the plant to be cut off just above the soil surface. The number of cutworms found can vary a lot each year. A few species feed on turfgrass.Ĭutworms curl their bodies around the stem and feed on it. Common vegetables they like to feed on include asparagus, beans, cabbage and other crucifers, carrots, celery, corn, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. Typically, the front wings are darker than the hind wings and are patterned.Ĭutworms are general feeders that can attack a wide range of plants.They generally have a body length of about one inch with wingspans up to 1 1/2 inches across.The most common species of cutworm occurring in Minnesota gardens are the bronzed cutworm, variegated cutworm, black cutworm, dingy cutworm, glassy cutworm and army cutworm.Īdult moths are moderate sized, brown or black insects showing various splotches, or stripes in shades of gray, brown, black or white. Some larvae are dull and others appear glossy or shiny.Some cutworms are a uniform color while others are spotted or striped.They typically curl into a tight 'C' shape when disturbed.ĭifferent species can look different from one another and they can range in color from brown or tan to pink, green or gray and black. Black cutworm (with black bumps) curled up in a ‘C’ shape How to identify cutwormsĬutworms are similar in general appearance. They are smooth with very few hairs and are about two inches when fully grown.
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