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Cutworms
Common: Black, Pale Western, Variegated
Scientific: Agrotis ipsilon, Agrotis orthogonia, Peridroma saucia
Crop Hosts: Nearly all nonweedy plants but prefers corn, legumes and vegetable crops.
Identification and Life Cycle: They
overwinter as partly grown or fully grown larvae. They start feeding in
the spring and in early summer, when in the soil they change to pupae
and the adult emerges in a few days. The females lay eggs on the stems
of grasses, weeds, etc., and the eggs hatch in 2 days to 2 weeks. The
larvae remain below the surface of the ground during the day and feed
at night. Different species have one or several generations depending
on the location.
Geographical Distribution: Cutworms can be found in all crop regions of the United States.
Damage and Treatment: The
caterpillars eat off the plants just above the ground. Most of the
plant is not consumed, merely being enough to cause it to fall over.
They have a great capacity for doing a lot of damage.
Treatment should be made when insect
populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to
local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific
state thresholds.
Always refer to product labels for specific use instructions.
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