The variegated cutworm may complete three or four generations per year in Alabama. Adults are known to become active and lay eggs in early spring. However, cutworms collected from rhododendron buds in February and early March were to 1 inches long, too large to be from a new, early spring generation. Consequently, these were apparently overwintering larvae from a late summer or fall generation of the previous season. When full-grown, the larva of the variegated cutworm is about 1 inches long.
Color varies from light to dark brown to dark gray.
The most conspicuous identifying characteristic is a series of light spots along the midline of the back. Fully grown larva of the variegated cutworm. Specimen is about 1 inches long. As noted, the variegated cutworm is usually found in various forage and field crops. While its habits and food plants are known to vary, its presence on rhododendron was heretofore unknown.