They are often found on plants in low spots of the field or in fields that have been subjected to flooding. The larvae are thin, cylindrical and dark brown to greasy gray in color with faint lighter stripes running laterally on each side of the body. The head is dark brown with two white spots. Larval development takes from 28-34 days. Pupal development is completed in 10-30 days.
Forewings are gray with dark brownish or black markings.
Hind wings are almost white except for a dark fringe at the tips and are folded under the forewing when the adult is inactive. The body is gray. 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.