Variegated cutworms readily climb trees to feed on buds, foliage and even tree fruit.Larvae are also defoliators and may feed on fruits, roots, and tubers as well.Older larvae feed near the soil surface, cutting off young plants at or below ground surface and sometimes pulling them underground to consume.Young larvae begin feeding on foliage in early May.Early instar (life stage) larvae may feed during the day, but larger larvae feed at night and seek shelter during the day in soil or elsewhere.Adult moths feed on nectar from flowers and lay eggs on foliage.They typically overwinter as pupae, with additional adult moths migrating in from the south in spring.Cutworms are important early-season pests of vegetable crops in Maryland.

Photo: Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Life cycle/habits Armyworms and cutworms are in the same family (Noctuidae owlet moths) Black cutworm pupa Yellow striped armyworm larva feeding on a tomato. Adults: Moths with up to 2' wingspan. Black cutworm: wings uniformly dark brown with black “dash” marking on forewing. Variegated cutworm: wings grayish/brown with darker bean-shaped spot and smaller round spot usually visible on each wing.Pupae: Dark brown/mahogany colored case, ¾ - 1” long, in a chamber near soil surface.Variegated cutworm: brownish/gray to grayish/black with yellow-white spots on its back and a dark “W” mark on its 8th abdominal segment of last instar (growth stage). Black cutworm: uniformly gray/brown to nearly black, somewhat greasy sheen. Larvae: Stout caterpillars with rough skin, almost 2” long when full grown (there are usually 6 instars).Eggs: Tiny, white-brown spheres (black cutworm) or half-spheres (variegated cutworm), with ribs radiating from center, laid on foliage in clusters of up to several hundred.Plants cut off at the soil line is symptom of cutworms Black cutworm larva (Agrotis ipsilon) and damage it caused to a young corn plant

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