Agronomic answers, actionable results. Download the 2024 Product Agronomy Research (PAR) Report HERE

Back to Articles

Black Cutworm

BY Dairyland Seed Agronomy Team

Black cutworm insects overwinter in Mexico and Texas and are carried north to our region by storm systems from the south between February and June. These same storm systems can make field work in the spring difficult and, in some cases non-existent, allowing winter annual plants to continue to grow and create a favorable environment for the moths to lay eggs.

Identification:

Mark Dreiling, Bugwood.org

Black cutworm moth is identified by the dagger shaped marking on the forewing, which is circled in the picture

Roger Schmidt, University of Wisconsin Madison, Bugwood.org

Black cutworm larvae can be found are dark in color and can be found under soil clods, debris or 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. These larvae can be 1/8th in to 2 inches in length.

 

Areas to monitor: No till and reduced tillage fields especially those with dense vegetation of broadleaf weeds.

Scouting: Damage can appear as notched leaves which is done by younger larva and clipped plants that will have been cut at the soil surface. When assessing this damage, choose five random areas of the field and count 20 plants in those areas. If 3 to 5 percent of these plants show signs of black cutworm feeding and two cutworms can be found, control with an insecticide may be warranted.

 

Damage from a small cutworm.

Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series , Bugwood.org

Damage from a more mature cutworm larvae, note the “clipped” plant at the soil surface.

 

Weedy areas of a field are the main areas to be concerned with at this time. When corn planting begins again, and herbicide applications start to diminish, the current food source for the cutworm larvae, we could start to see feeding in our corn plants. All versions of the Optum AcreMax®, PowerCore® Enlist®, Vorceed® Enlist® Qrome®, and SmartStax® branded products can provide control to smaller larvae, but larger larvae may still warrant further control measures.

Contact your Dairyland Seed DSM or Regional Agronomist for more information.

 


Brian Weller
Brian Weller
Western Region
507.456.3034
Dan Ritter
Dan Ritter
Central Region
219.863.0583
Chad Staudinger
Chad Staudinger
Northern Region
608.220.9249
Mark Gibson
Mark Gibson
Eastern Region
260.330.8968
Amanda Goffnett
Amanda Goffnett
Eastern Region
989.400.3793
Ryan Mueller
Ryan Mueller
Eastern Region
989.400.3793
Enjoying our Agronomy Updates? Suggestions for topics you'd like us to weigh in on? Drop us an email at dairylandseed@dairylandseed.com. We'd love to hear from you!
Subscribe for more insights delivered straight to your inbox.
You may also like...
  • Soybean First Flower and Soybean White Mold
    As we move into the middle of June and towards the longest day and subsequently the shortest night of the year (summer solstice or the first day of summer), I start looking for flowers on soybean plants.
    Read more
  • Volunteer Corn in Soybean Fields
    Another word to describe a volunteer corn plant is, “it’s a weed”, and a weed, is a plant that is growing where it is not supposed to be.
    Read more
  • Putting the Planter to Rest for Awhile
    In the seed business the most important piece of equipment is the planter. Agronomists will tell you the sins of planting season last all year long. Taking proper care of that ever so important tool is imperative. That process begins now.
    Read more
Find Your Rep