Cutworm

6.Cutworm (Agrotis spp., spodoptera spp.)

Are mostly black caterpillars, which usually remain in the soil and feeds on the stems of the young seedlings. Cutworms come out at night to feed.

Cut Worm on the soil

Management

• Plough and harrow the field to expose cutworms to predators and desiccation • Dig around the base of the damaged seedlings and destroy cutworms • Natural control: introduce parasitic wasps and ants • Spray with pesticides with indoxacarb, lambda cyhalothrin