
Damageīefore seedling emergence or transplanting, monitor for cutworms on weeds around field edges. Larvae are nocturnal: older larvae drop to the ground and tunnel into the soil during the day and emerge at night to feed. After hatching, young larvae chew on the leaf surfaces. Eggs are laid on leaves or stems close to the ground. Females lay hundreds of white eggs, either singly or in clusters (depending on the species).

Cutworms commonly curl up into a C-shape when disturbed.ĭistinguishing characteristics of different cutworm larvae: Full-grown caterpillars are 1 to 2 inches long. are dull gray to brown caterpillars with various markings,Ĭutworm larvae have four pairs of prolegs (leglike appendages, or fleshy stubs) in the middle of the abdomen, on segments 3 to 6.Cutworm larvae vary in color, but commonly
