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Cutworms - Noctuidae spp.  Helen
Atthowe - Missoula County Extension
 HOSTS: Most young
vegetable plants.
DESCRIPTION: There
are many species of cutworms. The larvae of most are 1- 1/4 to 1- 3/4
inches long; adults are gray/brown moths. LIFE
CYCLE: There is
generally one generation per year. Larvae feed at night and hide during
the day. Moths are present May through June. Eggs are laid in late
summer in weedy areas and hatch immediately. Our most common cutworm
overwinters as a developing caterpillar. In the spring, these
caterpillars feed on seedlings or young transplants. CONTROLS:Cultural: Till gardens in early spring or late fall to expose cutworms. Use transplants and protect with cardboard or plastic collars. Biological: Ground beetles, rove beetles, spiders, toads and snakes feed on cutworms. Check for cutworms at night with flashlight and apply granular forms of Bt mixed with bran. Bt sprays are ineffective. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil one week before planting as long as soils are >50° F. Keep soils moist after application. Traps: Black light traps used in the evening when the adult moths are flying trap both males and females. Pheromone traps may be used to trap males. Both types of traps are effective mainly as indicators of population levels.
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