Cutworms and their nocturnal adult moths are commonly found in gardens across the United States. Their larvae feed on plant stems that are in the soil chomping them down as they eat. They consume a variety of vegetable plants including beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale.
The larvae grow to 1-2 inches in length and have a soft body that is gray or brown in color. They are nocturnal pests that feed at night and burrow down into the soil to rest during the day, making them difficult to control.
Adult cutworms are also nocturnal, flying at night to deposit their young. The adults are similar in color to their larvae but are moths with a 1-½ wingspan. Their wings have blotched markings or stripes on them.
The female adult lays her eggs in the spring months on the stems and leaves of the plants, allowing the young larvae to chew on the stems of the plants at night until they pupate down in the soil during late spring. After the pupae stage, adults emerge in about a week and begin the reproduction cycle, creating several more generations throughout the year.
While adult moths do not harm garden plants, their larvae damage the plants, feeding and clipping off seedling stems near the base of the plant and sometimes just below the soil surface.
When the larvae are heavily infested they can damage an entire row of young plants in just one night.
Some species of the cutworm are known for climbing the plants, damaging buds, foliage, and shoots in the process. In the late season when gardens are ready for harvesting, some cutworms will borrow in fruit. Other cutworms will damage the grass in plush yards.
To prevent cutworms, remove any weeds or garden debris that may feed or shelter the young larvae before planting season begins.
Be sure to till the soil after harvest has ended in the fall season to allow birds and other natural predators to feed on the larvae and pupae.
Cut the grass as short as possible in your yard to keep cutworms from seeking shelter in the grass and near your garden plants.
Begin planting later in the season to discourage cutworms from consuming young plants.
Protect young seedlings by surrounding it with cardboard that is at least two inches deep into the soil.
Consider planting sunflowers around the edges of your garden to attract cutworms and prevent vegetable plants from being attacked.
If you have good lighting to do so, you can handpick the cutworm's larvae after dark to dispose of them. Many gardeners find that the best time to do so is right after a rainstorm.
Use beneficial nematodes in your garden soil to destroy any cutworms living in the soil.
As soon as you notice adult moths, release trichogramma wasps, a natural predator that will destroy cutworm eggs.
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