Flower bud of rhododendron showing typical sign of borer attack. Hollow bud showing complete destruction of developing flowers. The variegated cutworm may complete three or four generations per year in Alabama. Adults are known to become active and lay eggs in early spring. Consequently, these were apparently overwintering larvae from a late summer or fall generation of the previous season.
Color varies from light to dark brown to dark gray.
The most conspicuous identifying characteristic is a series of light spots along the midline of the back. As noted, the variegated cutworm is usually found in various forage and field crops. While its habits and food plants are known to vary, its presence on rhododendron was heretofore unknown. Its habit of feeding on flower buds makes it a serious pest of some species of common native rhododendrons.