Cutworms
Cutworms are large, up to 2-inch long, hairless caterpillars, the larvae of night-flying moths. They are a major pest to vegetable gardens, flowers and lawns in the United States. They curl into a "C" shape when disturbed.
Damage
Cutworms are grouped by their feeding habits.
Surface Cutworms feed on plants at the surface level at night and are troublesome for lawns and vegetable and flower gardeners. After feeding they burrow into a small hole in the soil where they live during the day. They target new, succulent tissue of emerging or transplanted plants. They chomp through seedling stems at soil level, causing plants to tip over (hence, the name).
Subterranean Cutworms live beneath the ground, feeding on the roots and underground stems of sod, vegetables and grains. This causes plants to wilt and die.
Climbing Cutworms feed on plants above ground. They favor tender leaves, buds and flowers.
Location
Cutworms are found throughout the United States.
Similar or Related Pests
Armyworms and leaf feeding Caterpillars
Cultural Solutions
- Inspect your plants at night using a light and destroy any you see.
- Cultivate the soil in summer or fall to destroy larvae.
- Use cardboard, paper or foil collars around the base of seedlings.
3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control-32 oz. Concentrate
3-In-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control-32 oz. Concentrate
- Kills and controls listed insect pests
- Cures and prevents listed fungal disease
- Controls Spider Mites
Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer-24 lb. Bag
Season Long Grub Control Plus Turf Revitalizer-24 lb. Bag
- Creates a season-long protective zone to kill Grubs before they do damage
- PLUS increases turf root mass for thicker, stronger turf
- Apply anytime, spring through late summer
- Also kills Mole Crickets and European Crane Fly larvae
- 12 lb. bag treats up to 5,000 sq. ft.
- 24 lb. bag treats up to 10,000 sq. ft.
24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules-20 lb. Bag
24 Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules-20 lb. Bag
- Kills Grubs in 24 hours
- PLUS kills Ants1, Armyworms, Billbugs, Chinch Bugs, Crickets, Cutworms, Earwigs, Grasshoppers, Leafhoppers, Millipedes, Mole Crickets, Pillbugs, Scorpions, Sod Webworms, Sowbugs and Ticks
- 20 lb. bag treats 10,000 sq. ft. for White Grubs, Billbugs and Mole Crickets; 15,000 sq. ft. for other lawn pests
1-Except Carpenter Ants, Fire Ants, Harvester Ants, and Pharaoh Ants
Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf-32 oz. Ready-To-Spray
Complete Brand Insect Killer For Soil & Turf-32 oz. Ready-To-Spray
- Kills listed surface insects in 24 hours
- Kills soil insects for up to 3 months
- Kills Mosquitoes
- 32oz Ready-To-Spray treats up to 5,000 sq. ft
- 40oz. Concentrate makes up to 80 gallons of spray
- Excludes Pharaoh Ants
Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control-32 oz. Concentrate
Fruit, Citrus & Vegetable Insect Control-32 oz. Concentrate
- Kills Asian Citrus Psyllids and prevents new infestations
- Also kills other listed pests like Aphids and Whiteflies
- Treats up to 640 sq. ft. of vegetables OR up to 9 fruit trees¹
¹Assuming canopy width of 10 feet. Source Hungrypests.com.
