Corky's Pest Control, Inc.
71 Satellite-Monitored Vehicles
Serving San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles

CUTWORM

CUTWORM
There are many common varieties of cutworms. All will feed on just about any low-lying plants and will also affect lawns. These "worms" are actually the larvae of drab grayish or brownish moths. They can do a considerable amount of damage in a relatively short period of time. They generally cut off the host plant at ground level.

Damage
Size & Identifying Characteristics:
• Larvae of some moths, up to 2” long
• Hide in the ground during the day
• Emerge at night to feed on grasses and plants

Larva Only
1.Antenna- 2 to 3 segmented
2.Eyes- ocelli numerous
3.Head- head capsule
4.Legs- 3 thoracic legs w/4 prolegs
5.Wings- none
6.Thorax-long cylindrical body
7.Petiole- none
8.Abdomen-has 8 segments
9.Color-pale gray
10.Other- larva has longitudinal strips along the body

Life Cycle
Adult moths fly around at night and lay eggs on grass leaves or nearby plants. The larvae feed at night on leaves and crowns and hide during the day. The larvae pupate in the soil. There can be several generations each year.