Cutworms are a group of caterpillars that cut seedling plants off at or below the soil surface.
Only in rare circumstances do any of these species cause economic damage to field crops. Black cutworm is the most destructive cutworm in the northern states, and may occasionally cause severe damage to field crops. Biology and Life Cycle Black cutworms migrate as adults from southern states in mid- to late May, depending on wind patterns and temperatures during development. Eggs are white and deposited singly or in small clusters on short weeds and soybean stubble. Larvae hatch and begin feeding 3-6 days after oviposition.