Examining plants for signs of cutworm larval activity and for cumulative larval damage is a more practical approach to assessing larval populations. Damage by cutworms can be distinguished from winter kill by looking carefully for evidence of feeding damage. Damage Both pale western and army cutworms can feed on and damage wheat, barley, alfalfa, canola, peas and sugar beets. Bare spots in the field in early spring may indicate cutworm activity. The army cutworm is a climbing cutworm and feeds on above ground foliage.
Damaged leaves indicate damage by army cutworms.
Plants may recover from army cutworm feeding if defoliation is not severe. Pale western cutworm larvae are subterranean and feed on plants below the soil surface. Because pale western cutworms cut stems, if the growing point is destroyed, the plants cannot recover from damage. Pale western cutworm infestation results in stand reduction. Damage appears as dead or wilted tillers or plants.