The first two larval stages feed on the foliage of the plant. Large populations may cause severe crop damage with indications that the pest is the black cutworm. Unfortunately, by the time the pest is identified, the cutworms would have already developed into a life stage which is not as susceptible to insecticides as the early larval stages. The sporadic nature of cutworm populations can make preventive treatments futile in some areas. Check for cutworms in surrounding weeds before planting a field or before the crop emerges.
Cutworms often recur in the same fields and areas from year to year.
Areas that have had a dense stand of weeds, crop residue disced-in soon before planting, or located near an alfalfa field often have high populations. After the crop emerges, monitor for adult densities using pheromone traps and check for a row of four or five or more wilted plants with completely or partially severed stems. Monitor for cut worms by digging around the base of the damaged plants and sifting the soil for caterpillars. They are best found at dawn or at night. Cultural ControL Weed hosts on outlying areas are often preferred sites of oviposition and serve as food for the younger larvae.