Agrotis spp.

Cutworms are the unseen menace that strike at dusk or overnight, severing seedlings at their base like tiny, stealthy saboteurs. These larvae of night-flying moths live just beneath the soil surface, coiling around the tender stems of young plants and slicing them off as they feed. Most active in spring and early summer, cutworms target a wide variety of vegetables including tomatoes, cabbages, peppers and lettuce. Their damage appears suddenly, often with several young plants destroyed in a single night.

Controlling cutworms once they’ve started feeding underground is a frustrating task. They are hard to detect and difficult to reach with surface sprays. By the time symptoms appear, the damage is usually severe and irreversible. Prevention, by contrast, provides a far more cost-effective and efficient solution. Monitoring for adult moths allows gardeners to interrupt the reproductive cycle before eggs are laid. Soil treatments and physical barriers can reduce larvae survival and protect emerging seedlings.

Cutworms are an indication of low soil calcium levels. Increasing the calcium in your soil is a great way to combat this organically, however this is never a quick fix and the calcium levels will need to be increased over a number of years. A short-cut is to apply a ring of calcium (about a tablespoon) around every seedling as it is transplanted. Livingseeds recommends calcitic lime as the go-to calcium suppliement for gardeners.

Cultural practices such as clearing weeds before planting, and using collars around seedling stems can significantly limit the risk of cutworm infestation. Early detection using pheromone traps is key. However, running the traps for the entire year, Last Frost to First Frost is the very best long-term startegy. 
Begin your program in late winter or early spring for maximum effectiveness.

• Traps/Monitoring

  • Cutworm, Tomato Bollworm and Tomato Semi-Looper Pheromone Lure: Targets adult moths. Use in late winter through early summer to intercept and monitor moth populations.

  • Funnel Trap (Trap Only): Compatible with pheromone lures. Captures night-flying adult moths to reduce breeding.

  • Delta Trap (Trap Only): Ideal for sticky liner use and monitoring moth flight periods.