Moths lay eggs singly or in clusters on the leaves of grasses, weeds, other host plants, and sometimes on the bare ground.Ĭutworms are smooth-skinned and somewhat shiny. The hind wings are usually solid in color and lighter than the front wings. The 1-1/2 to 2-inch moths are dull-gray to brown with yellow, gray, light brown, and black designs on the front wings.

These night-flying moths are frequently attracted to lights at night. Serious losses are often associated with wet springs that have caused a delay in planting.Ĭutworms are the larvae of moths. Corn can be seriously damaged by cutworms from planting through mid-June while the plants are less than 18 inches tall. While they are potentially very destructive, cutworms are unpredictable, and the chances of significant damage in any given year are relatively low. Larger stages of cutworms cut entirely through the plant or tunnel into the plants below or above the soil line, whereas small-stage cutworms climb plants and chew small holes in the leaves. They often go unnoticed until after a significant number of plants have been damaged. University of Kentucky College of AgricultureĬutworms are sporadic early-season pests that can reduce plant populations in a field. ENT-59: Cutworm Management in Corn | Download PDF by Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist

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