White grubs and wireworms may cause serious damage to garden plants. If the garden area has a history of white grubs or wireworm problems or if garden plants are to be planted in an area that was grassy or weedy the previous season, then an insecticide should be broadcast and lightly tilled into the soil prior to planting. Control of soil insects on a rescue basis after planting is usually not successful. Cutworms include several insect species whose larvae chew plant stems at the soil surface shortly after transplanting, cutting them at ground level. In general, cutworm problems are sporadic but can occasionally be severe.
Plants begin to wilt and usually die soon.
After transplanting, check daily for wilted plants with completely or partially severed stems. Perhaps the most effective method of controlling cutworms is to use collars around each new transplant to protect young plants from attack. Collars should be removed after about two to four weeks from transplanting, so that they do not interfere with normal plant growth. Also, remove weeds in and around the garden to help eliminate sources of additional cutworms. If an insecticide is used, effectiveness is increased by banding the insecticide at the base of the plant, preferably at dusk or shortly before.