Practice Organic Cutworm Control to Protect Seedlings

By Barbara Pleasant
Published on April 25, 2013
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Illustration By Keith Ward
The larvae of night-flying moths, cutworms damage plants by feeding on both roots and foliage.

This article is part of ourOrganic Pest Control Series, which includes articles on attracting beneficial insects, controlling specific garden pests, and using organic pesticides.

Cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon and Peridroma saucia)

The discovery of cutworms in the garden always comes first thing in the morning, when you find seedlings that have been cut off at the soil line during the night. Direct-seeded beans and corn are frequent victims, especially when planted into soil recently cleared of weeds and grasses. Young transplants are also frequent victims. 

Organic cutworm controls include protecting seedlings with rigid collars, encouraging predation by birds and thorough bed preparation. The two most common species, black cutworms (Agrotis ipsilon) and variegated cutworms (Peridroma saucia) are both found in temperate climates worldwide. In spring, moths are carried northward and become summer pests in areas where they do not survive winter. 

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