The cutworm is a gray/brown caterpillar. It is somewhat shiny and plump. Cutworms feed on the stems of plants and are very fond of seedlings. The cutworm comes in several types with different feeding patterns. The tunnel-making cutworm feeds just under the soil surface where the seedling will spring up. There are climbing cutworms that feed on plant stems and flower buds, leaves and the army cutworm that travels in a group or platoon.
Identification of Infestation
The cutworm larvae will start to feed at the beginning of spring. The cutworm lays eggs on broad-leaved weeds or grass. All cutworms are night feeders. Because the cutworm is a night feeder you will see the damage before you see the cutworms. One of the major signs of cutworms is a row of seedlings which have been chewed in half at the stem. You might also see cutworm damage with chewed leaves or holes in fruit.
The best way to verify you have cutworm is to get out in your yard at night with a flashlight. Look at the soil just under the damaged plants. The cutworm will be just underneath the surface and will be about an inch long.
Treatment and Prevention
If you have had cutworm infestation in the past then dig up the soil in the fall and expose the cutworms. Also keep leaf debris to a minimum to keep cutworm out of the garden.
If you want to try a bacterial insecticide use Bacillus thuringiensis. The bacteria will kill the cutworms but will not harm humans or other animals.
To protect seedlings from cutworms cut a cardboard tube like a toilet paper or paper towel roll in half and put around the seedling. Secure the tubes by pushing them into the soil. You can also try a tuna or cat food can with the bottom and top removed. Place the seedling in the middle of the can and push the can half way into the soil. Both of these items will effectively block cutworms.
Sticky bands, available from your local nursery are also effective against cutworms. The cutworm cannot get by the sticky band and will not be able to harm the fruit or leaves.
Another effective tool to fight cutworms is bran. Mix the bran in a bowl with Bacillus thuringiensis and molasses and spread around the soil of plants that might be a target of cutworms. The bran will attract the cutworm and the Bacillus thuringiensis will kill the cutworms.
Removing weeds, especially those with broad leaves, will prevent cutworms from laying their eggs near susceptible plants. It might also be a good idea to put some type of barrier between your grassy areas and your seedlings as cutworms like to lay their eggs on grass blades.
You can also physically remove cutworms. The cutworm feeds at night and will curl up in a ball when touched. This makes the cutworm easy to remove.
Some of the plants that cutworms like best are Gladiolus, Chrysthanemum, Carnation and Petunia. Of the edible plants, cutworms prefer tomatoes, peppers, peas and beans.
Because cutworms are slow moving and easy to spot at night they are a pest that is easily overcome. Keep your plants cutworm safe with preventative measures and a quick response should cutworm the pest turn up your garden.
Information and Photo taken from http://todaysgardenideas.com
Identification of Infestation
The cutworm larvae will start to feed at the beginning of spring. The cutworm lays eggs on broad-leaved weeds or grass. All cutworms are night feeders. Because the cutworm is a night feeder you will see the damage before you see the cutworms. One of the major signs of cutworms is a row of seedlings which have been chewed in half at the stem. You might also see cutworm damage with chewed leaves or holes in fruit.
The best way to verify you have cutworm is to get out in your yard at night with a flashlight. Look at the soil just under the damaged plants. The cutworm will be just underneath the surface and will be about an inch long.
Treatment and Prevention
If you have had cutworm infestation in the past then dig up the soil in the fall and expose the cutworms. Also keep leaf debris to a minimum to keep cutworm out of the garden.
If you want to try a bacterial insecticide use Bacillus thuringiensis. The bacteria will kill the cutworms but will not harm humans or other animals.
To protect seedlings from cutworms cut a cardboard tube like a toilet paper or paper towel roll in half and put around the seedling. Secure the tubes by pushing them into the soil. You can also try a tuna or cat food can with the bottom and top removed. Place the seedling in the middle of the can and push the can half way into the soil. Both of these items will effectively block cutworms.
Sticky bands, available from your local nursery are also effective against cutworms. The cutworm cannot get by the sticky band and will not be able to harm the fruit or leaves.
Another effective tool to fight cutworms is bran. Mix the bran in a bowl with Bacillus thuringiensis and molasses and spread around the soil of plants that might be a target of cutworms. The bran will attract the cutworm and the Bacillus thuringiensis will kill the cutworms.
Removing weeds, especially those with broad leaves, will prevent cutworms from laying their eggs near susceptible plants. It might also be a good idea to put some type of barrier between your grassy areas and your seedlings as cutworms like to lay their eggs on grass blades.
You can also physically remove cutworms. The cutworm feeds at night and will curl up in a ball when touched. This makes the cutworm easy to remove.
Some of the plants that cutworms like best are Gladiolus, Chrysthanemum, Carnation and Petunia. Of the edible plants, cutworms prefer tomatoes, peppers, peas and beans.
Because cutworms are slow moving and easy to spot at night they are a pest that is easily overcome. Keep your plants cutworm safe with preventative measures and a quick response should cutworm the pest turn up your garden.
Information and Photo taken from http://todaysgardenideas.com
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