Some cutworms overwinter as partly grown larvae, although a few overwinter as pupae. They find shelter in the soil, under clumps of grass, or under piles of debris. In spring as the warm weather arrives, the cutworms begin feeding. In early summer, the mature cutworm hollows out a chamber in the soil and transforms to the pupal or resting stage. For the species that overwinter as pupae, the adult moths emerge in early spring and the egg laying begins at that time.
Pupae change to moths and the moths crawl out of the soil.
Another generation begins as the females start to lay eggs in the late summer on the stems of plants or the soil surface. One female is capable of laying from a few hundred to 1,500 eggs. Eggs hatch after a few days to two weeks and the larvae feed until cold weather arrives. Cutworms may be discouraged from feeding on garden plants by placing a paper collar around the stem extending for some distances above and below the ground level. Eliminate weeds and grasses from your garden as the cutworm moths lay their eggs on such plants.