In North Carolina, granulate and black cutworms are the most common cutworms in tobacco plant beds. Life History - Cutworms overwinter as larvae or pupae. In early spring, the overwintering larvae of some species become active and feed. In other cases, moths emerge from overwintering pupae and lay eggs on host plants or other vegetation. Therefore, depending on the species, damaging cutworms found in spring may be overwintered larvae or new generation cutworms.
Cutworms develop through five to eight larval instars.
Pupation occurs in the soil. The number of generations depends on latitude. Generally there are two generations per year in Canada, four generations per year in North Carolina, and five to six generations per year in Florida. Since extensive damage may occur in a short period of time, plant beds and newly set plants should be inspected frequently. A bait may be used in infested plant beds or in newly set fields.