Many species. Cutworms may be dull grey, brown, black, striped or spotted. These softbodied, stout worms curl up tightly when disturbed.
They are most destructive to early-season or cool-season plantings of tomato, pepper, corn, and various vegetable crops. They may cut off plants either at, above, or below soil surface. Some climbing cutworms may feed on buds, leaves, or even fruits.
Most pass the winter as partly grown to fully grown larvae. However, some hibernate as adults and some as pupae. The four stages are egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Usually there is only one generation per year, but some may have as many as four.
Cutworms feed mainly at night. One must look under clods, rocks, and debris to find them during the daytime.
