Climbing cutworms

Insect

Climbing cutworms

Euxoa messoria (Harris); Feltia jaculifera (Guenée); Abagrotis alternate (Grote); Xestia c-nigrum (L.); Peridroma saucia (Hübner); Spaelotis clandestine (Harris)

Lepidoptera: Noctuidae

Distribution: Most notable as pests in the central and mid-Atlantic states.

Photos

Larvae have smooth bodies with a dull gray-brown background color with stripes or spots or splotches. NY State Ag Experiment Station
B

A large complex of similar species including: Darksided cutworm, Euxoa messoria (Harris); Mottled cutworm, Abagrotis alternate (Grote); Dingy cutworm, Feltia jaculifera (Guené;e); Mottled cutworm, Abagrotis alternate (Grote); Spotted cutworm, Xestia c-nigrum (L.); Variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia (Hü;bner), W-marked cutworm Spaelotis clandestine (Harris). Adults are dark brown or grayish colored moths. Larvae tend to be smooth caterpillars with few hairs, brown or black head capsules (sometimes with distinctive markings), and bodies a dull gray-brown background color with stripes, spots, or dark brown, black, yellow or white splotches (A, B).

Crops Affected: grapes

Damage

The larvae overwinter in the soil of the vineyard floor and become active in spring when vine buds begin to expand. Larvae feed on young buds at night, hiding in the soil beneath the vines during the day. Feeding may injure buds or remove them entirely. Cutworms are mainly a pest in areas with sandy soils and in vineyards with weeds under the vines. Injury is often worse in years when cool temperatures slow bud development. Vineyards with a history of cutworm damage should be scouted regularly during bud expansion, particularly after warmer nights. Once shoot expansion begins, the risk of damage declines.
Crops Affected: apples, peaches, pears, plums

Damage

Various species attack apple, peach, pear, and plum. Partly grown larvae overwinter and begin activity in the spring, when they climb trees from the orchard floor at night to feed on buds, blossoms and young foliage, returning to seek shelter during the day. Feeding tends to be confined to lower central canopy and trunk areas, but high populations can strip whole trees. Small trees can be stunted or exhibit abnormal growth. In two-brood species, second brood feeding is minor.

Management

Elimination of weed infestations, particularly around young trees, will help suppress cutworm damage. Because of the sporadic nature of this pest complex, thresholds have not been established. Small trees are harmed the most by heavy defoliation, but large trees can withstand even several successive years of heavy defoliation in spring.