Cutworm is the caterpillar of certain dull-colored, night-flying moths. Cutworms have a smooth skin and vary in color from light gray to black. Some are striped or spotted. Cutworms are quite destructive. Groups of cutworms have been known to destroy entire fields of young wheat, corn, or garden vegetables overnight. Cutworms also may cause a great deal of damage to tobacco, cotton, and various kinds of fruit trees. From one to four generations of cutworms may grow each year. Some spend the winter as pupae, others as larvae. Solitary cutworms feed beneath the soil. Climbing cutworms crawl up the plants at night to feed. Gardeners kill cutworms with poisoned baits and sprays. See Moth.
