Cutworm
Common Name
Agrotis spp.
Scientific Name
The common cutworm, turnip moth (Agrotis segetum); the greasy cutworm, black cutworm, tobacco cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)
Issue
Insect
Causes
Preferred substrates are densely growing plants relatively low to the ground and fine-textured plant debris in untilled fields. Damp, low-lying areas within untilled fields are particularly attractive for egg-laying moths. Eggs hatch in 10 to 28 days.
Prevention
(1) Monitor damage by counting damaged and freshly cut leaves, freshly cut young plants, and holes in leaves and in stems, (2) Ploughing exposes caterpillars to predators and to desiccation by the sun, (3) Fields should be prepared and vegetation and we
Control
Natural enemies - Cutworms are attacked by a large range of natural enemies like parasitic wasps and flies, and some predators. Physical control-Dig near damaged seedlings and destroy cutworms. Conserve natural enemies eg. Parasitic wasps and ants. Spray