cutworms
Nocturnal garden pests
Cutworms are the larvae of various moth species that feed on young plants, typically cutting through stems at or just below soil level.
They hide in soil during the day and emerge at night to feed, making them a common garden and agricultural pest.
A single cutworm can destroy several seedlings in one night by severing them near the ground.
The tomato seedlings were attacked by cutworms before I could protect them.
Immature metamorphosing creatures
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
- pupaInsect's resting stage
instar · overwinter · grub · adult · generation · emergence · pupation · soil-dwelling
Newly germinated plants
- transplantsSurgical tissue transfers
- vegetablesEdible plants, not fruits
- tomatoesRed fleshy fruits
- peppersSeasons or bombards repeatedly
corn · lettuce · cabbage · beans · brassicas · cucurbits · rows · beds
Active during darkness
- feedingGiving food to
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- curlingForming curved shapes
- night feedingCaring for hungry infant overnight
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
- collarsGarment neck portions
diatomaceous earth · handpicking · tillage · crop rotation · scouting · thresholds · spraying · biological control
Harm to cultivated plants
- wiltingLosing turgor and drooping
- replantingRelocating vegetation to soil
- economic lossDecrease in monetary value
- girdlingCircumferential bark removal
larvae
Immature metamorphosing creatures
- caterpillarMoth or butterfly young
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- eggsReproductive cells in shells
pupa · instar · overwinter · grub · adult · generation · emergence · pupation · soil-dwelling · C-shaped
seedlings
Newly germinated plants
- transplantsSurgical tissue transfers
- vegetablesEdible plants, not fruits
- tomatoesRed fleshy fruits
peppers · corn · lettuce · cabbage · beans · brassicas · cucurbits · rows · beds · mulch
nocturnal
Active during darkness
insecticide
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- baitingDeliberately trying to provoke
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
collars · diatomaceous earth · handpicking · tillage · crop rotation · scouting · thresholds · spraying · biological control · parasitic wasps
crop damage
Harm to cultivated plants
- wiltingLosing turgor and drooping
- replantingRelocating vegetation to soil
- economic lossDecrease in monetary value
- Lepidopterabutterflies, moths, monarch, cocoons, chrysalis
- crop pestsaphids, aphid, armyworm, beetles, armyworms
- crop problemsblight, drought damage, crop disease, root rot, wilting
- garden pestsaphids, aphid, caterpillars, spider mite, slugs
- garden problemsaphids, beetles, blight, mildew, rot
- larvaelarvae, larva, caterpillar, caterpillars, maggot
cutwormsbeneficial insects
Arthropods aiding agriculture
earthworms · pollinators · honeybees · ladybugs · parasitic wasps
cutwormsnatural predators
Animals that inherently hunt others
nematodes · birds · pest controllers · toads