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Cutworm
(Peridroma
saucia) - Life Cycle
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Click for
image of adult
by
Iowa State University
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Adults:
It is often difficult to identify the many different species of
cutworms. Cutworms are grouped into three categories: surface
feeders such as the black cutworm that feeds on plant leaves,
"climbers" such as the variegated cutworm (most common) which
climb onto plants at night to feed on buds and leaves, and subterranean
cutworms that stay in the ground and feed on plant roots. The
adult has dark brown forewings and white hind wings with a wingspan
of 1 1/2 - 2 inches (38-51 mm).
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Eggs:
The eggs are white, ribbed, spherical in shape and are about one-half
the diameter of a pin head (1 mm). The variegated cutworm lays its
eggs in irregular elongated patches while other cutworms lay their
eggs singly or in sporadic clusters. Depending on temperature, eggs
hatch in about 5 days. |
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Click for image of larvae
by
Iowa State University
Image
1
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Larvae:
The larva is 1 1/2 -2 inches (37 -45 mm) long when fully grown.
Larvae are smooth skinned, dark gray to black in color and have
a pale yellow stripe down the center of the back. There are also
3 yellow lines running along each side. The variegated cutworm has
2 abdominal yellow spots on the first segment and both black and
yellow spots on the eighth segment. When disturbed the cutworm larva
will curl up. |
Click for image
of larvae
by
UC-Davis
Image
2
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Pupae:
When the larvae are full grown they leave the host plant and drop
or crawl to the ground where they burrow. The larva excavates a
small, smooth-walled cell, usually 3-5 inches in the soil, then
transforms into the resting or pupal stage. The moth will emerge
10-25 days later depending on temperature. The development from
egg to adult usually takes about 30 days in midsummer. |
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Damage inflicted by cutworm to beans
or to sweet corn
©All material is protected
by Section 107 of the 1976 copyright law.
Copyright is held by Cornell University.
Maintained by Jason D. Plate. Last updated Mar. 8th, 2007.
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