University of Idaho Pest Management Center

*Cutworms*
*species:*	redbacked cutworm variegated cutworm spotted cutworm ORDER: Lepidoptera - stem-cutters & leaf chewers pests as larvae
*identification:*
*adult*	dark, drab moths 1 to 2-inch wing span
*larvae*	smooth-skinned, greasy gray-brown with darker longitudinal lines & spots up to 1 1/2-inches long curls into "C" when disturbed
*host plants:*	garden flowers, vegetables, berries & fruit
symptoms:	surface cutworms - sever tender seedlings at soil surface climbing cutworms - defoliation feed at night, hide by day worst damage during spring
biology:	eggs & larvae O/W on garden trash and weedy grasses several generations per year
CONTROL OPTIONS
physical:	hand-pick at night with a flashlight larval habitat traps transplant collars & hotcaps
cultural:	destroy O/W sites via cultivation, composting, weeding
biocontrol:	conserve native predatory and parasitic insect
least-toxics:	Bt kurstaki microbial insecticides (Dipel, Thuricide)
conventional insecticides:	diazinon, Dursban, Sevin

Webmaster:
nbell@uidaho.edu