What do cutworms turn into

Full-grown larvae are " long, soft, plump, hairless caterpillars whose color and markings vary from dingy white to tan, brown, charcoal gray or black, depending on species. A disturbed cutworm will curl up into a tight ball. Most species of cutworms overwinter in the soil or under vegetative debris as partly-grown or full-grown larvae. The larvae begin feeding in early spring and continue growing until early summer, when they pupate in the soil, emerging as moths one to eight weeks later.

Most species lay their eggs on the stems of grasses and weeds, though some lay eggs on bare ground. Depending on the species, the eggs will hatch in a few days to two weeks. Most species of cutworms take shelter in the soil by day and come out to feed at night. Surface cutworms cause the most damage in New Hampshire gardens and landscapes, chewing the stems of newly-emerged seedlings and transplants in early to late spring.

Since adult female moths lay their eggs in fall, removing weeds and mowing the grass close to the ground will help prevent cutworm infestations. A protective collar made of plastic, sturdy cardboard, cut-up drink bottles, milk cartons, toilet paper rolls, etc.

Place the collar around the plant stem, making sure it extends at least an inch down into the soil and two inches above soil level. Read the label on every pesticide container each time before using the material. Pesticides must be applied only as directed on the label to be in compliance with the law. They do not bite or sting; if disturbed, they will roll up into a c-shape.

While they are not harmful to humans, they can be a major problem in the garden. Some species are subterranean and eat roots as well. Cutworms do their damage only when they are in the larval stage. Adult cutworm moths do not damage plants. Early in the growing season cutworms chew off seedling, young transplants, garden vegetables, and flowers. Later in the season these pests can also injure the crop by eating irregular holes in the surface of young fruits or vegetables, and causing fruiting stems to wilt and fail.

On grapevines, cutworms feed from the bud swell stage until shoots are several inches long. Injured buds may fail to develop. A few cutworm species also climb up on foliage and chew holes or bore into heads of lettuce or cole crops like kale and cabbage.

Larva of citrus cutworm. Cutworms belong to the insect order Lepidoptera butterflies and moths. A cutworm moth will typically lay pearl-shaped eggs. Mature cutworm larvae caterpillars are one to two inches long, plump, soft bodied, and often have longitudinal stripes.

Depending on their species, they can be gray, green, black or dull brown in color, and solid, spotted, or striped. At the end of its larval stage, a cutworm will rest in the soil for about a week before pupating below the soil layer. Cutworm pupa are reddish-brown in appearance and can be found at or below soil level. It is during the pupal stage that the adult winged form develops. Adult cutworm moths are dark gray, black, or brown in color, with markings on their front wings.

Adults are called miller moths and are usually drab gray or brown but also can be somber yellow and tan. Larvae are the cutworm which is the damaging stage. They have a smooth skin and a wet or greasy texture; their body is plump. The variegated cutworm is grayish brown and lightly speckled with darker brown; it has a single row of pale yellow dots along each side of its body. The black cutworm is greasy gray or brown with faint lighter stripes and granular appearance.

The spotted cutworm has a dark stripe along each side of its body and several pairs of triangular-shaped black dashes at the rear of its back. Full grown cutworms are two inches long. Eggs are small and hemispherical laid under debris, in the soil or on leaves and stem depending on geography.

Developing larvae, cutworms, and pupae overwinter in the soil especially from previously grassy areas. Cutworms emerge in the spring. Mature cutworms return into the soil where they will dig a small chamber in which they pupate. Adult moths emerge from overwintered pupae or early-season pupae. Causing no damage, they fly around at night attracted to electric lights , mate and lay eggs late in the afternoon or at night. Some species lay a single egg or small groups of eggs while others like the variegated cutworm lay closely-packed rows of over eggs.

The incubation period ranges from two to 14 days depending on species and temperature. The eggs hatch as cutworms.