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Vegetables:
Stems
Cutworms
Cutworm caterpillars are brown, black or gray in color, about 1-2 inches long and feed at night. In early May the young larvae feed on new leaves while the more mature caterpillars feed near the soil surface cutting the young stems of many different kinds of vegetable crops (tobacco). Sometimes entire transplants or seedlings seem to disappear because they are dragged into underground burrows by the cutworms. Later in the season cutworms may climb up tomato stakes and feed on green or ripe fruits. (damage on corn, sweet potato) Cutworms produce 1-5 generations per year and may overwinter in plant debris as eggs, young larvae or pupae.
Management:
Late fall and early spring tilling will help disturb over-wintering sites, kill some cutworms and expose others to predators and freezing temperatures. Floating row covers can help to exclude adults and larvae. Young plants can be protected with collars of plastic, aluminum or cardboard that extend 1-2 inches below the soil and 2-3 inches above the soil. Rough materials, ground down to small particle size- oyster or crab shell, sharp sand, diatomaceous earth- can be applied around vulnerable plants. These can help suppress cutworm activity. Infestations of young larvae can also be controlled with B.t. sprays. (B.t. is Bacillus thuringiensis, a microbial insecticide that is classified as an organic pesticide. It is effective against all moth and butterfly larvae.)
Seeds can also be pre-sprouted to give them a head start. Place seeds on a moistened paper towel. Roll up the paper towel, place it in a plastic bag with some holes and set it on top of the refrigerator. Check the germination rate after 5-7 days. When the radicle (new root) begins to develop, remove seeds and plant in garden soil. However, do not pre-soak bean and corn seeds in water. This treatment will make them more susceptible to soil pathogens.
Keywords: cutworms, climbing cutworm
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Photo Gallery
Black cutworm damage to young corn plant.
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Black cutworm damage to tobacco plant.
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