THE PEST Cutworms are familiar pests to people who have experienced damage to their lawns, and to the stems of crops and seedlings in May and June.
Cutworms feed at night.
Plants are often cut off completely at or just below the soil surface giving the appearance of a freshly mowed area. Some cutworm species climb and will feed on the leaves of plants. Its grey to brown body has white stripes down each side, and is soft, plump and hairless. A disturbed cutworm will curl up. The life cycle of the cutworm consists of egg, larva, pupa and adult.