Cutworms

family Noctuidae

Larvae are fat, gray or brown in color, about 1 1/2" long, feed during the night and spend the day underground. They feed on tender shoots, cutting them off at or below ground level.

A friendly toad can help with the problem, as can certain nematodes including Steinernema carpocapsae, and tachinid flies; the latter may be available commercially. Protect young plants with cardboard or metal collars at their bases. hand-picking at night can reduce numbers. Finally, the kurstaki strain of Bacillus thuringiensis can be mixed with bran and molasses and spread over the soil to kill them.

 

See Also Bt Nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae

Related Topics Soil

 
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