Black Cutworm

  • Scientific Name: Lepidoptera

Black Cutworm

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Agrotis spp

Order:

Lepidoptera

How to identify Black Cutworm:

Black cutworm is a caterpillar pest found mainly on bentgrass golf greens.

  • The larval stage appears as a smooth bodied, dark coloured caterpillar with longitudinal lines and brown to black spots on back and sides.

  • When mature the adult black cutworm metamorphoses into a brown moth with a wing span up to 55mm. The fore-wings are purple brown with black markings and hind-wings are grey with brown markings.

What is the biology and lifecycle of a Black Cutworm?

Adult moths lay their eggs in clusters in turfgrass at night and are attracted to the light making turf surfaces around night-lit buildings more susceptible. Cutworm larvae hatch and usually feed during the night and take shelter during the day. These larvae typically cut of young plants at the crown level and pull them into a burrow before feeding hence the name cutworm. Cutworms have two generations per year and overwinter as pupae. Some species of cutworm produce enough generations that adult moths are present throughout the year.

Damage Caused by Black Cutworm

Black cutworm damage appears in low-cut turf when the caterpillar emerges from their subterranean burrow and feeds on the turf plants surrounding the burrow entrance.

This results in a bald patch of turf surrounding the burrow, usually in patches about the size of a golf ball and often resembling a pitch mark. 

In plague proportions these patches can coalesce to destroy large areas of turf.

 

Management Tips for Black Cutworm

Cutworm can take advantage of open core holes following renovation activities, taking up residence and using the core hole as its burrow.

  • To help manage and control black cutworm, it is important to ensure prompt recovery following renovation.

  • Mowing with a catcher and disposing of clippings away from susceptible turf areas will ensure eggs are removed from the turf surface the following morning after being laid.

  • It is recommended to consider insecticide applications as a precautionary measure.
For chemical solutions and treatments for Black Cutworm, please see our recommended products below.

PRODUCT SOLUTIONS FOR Black Cutworm

Quali-Pro Twister Insecticide
Active: 320g/L Indoxacarb, 80g/L Novaluron

Quali-Pro Twister is a highly effective insecticide for robust knockdown and residual control of Argentine Stem Weevil, Billbug and African Black B...

Contact us to purchase this item:
Acelepryn GR (Granule) Insecticide
Active: 2g/kg Chlorantraniliprole

Acelepryn GR insecticide provides unmatched, season-long grub and caterpillar control in a single application.

Pack:
QTY:
- +
$107.80
Acelepryn Insecticide
Active: 200g/L Chlorantraniliprole

Acelepryn is an insecticide that provides safe and effective control of a wide range of turf-damaging insects while also minimising the impact on t...

Pack:
QTY:
- +
$140.80
Provaunt Insecticide
Active: 200g/kg Indoxacarb

Provaunt targets and destroys the lifecycle of Argentine Stem Weevils (ASW). It targets and destroys both adult and larvae (only APVMA registration...

Contact us to purchase this item:
Spinner Insecticide
Active: 200g/kg Cyantraniliprole, 200g/kg...

Spinner turf insecticide is a highly systemic insecticide providing rapid control of insect larvae and including Stem Weevil.

Contact us to purchase this item:
Tempo XTRA Insecticide
Active: 50g/L Imidacloprid, 25g/L Beta-cyfluthrin

Tempo XTRA is a unique dual mode of action insecticide designed to control tough pests in Turf and Ornamental situations.

Contact us to purchase this item:
australian agribusiness

Nuturf is a division of Australian Agribusiness (Holdings) Pty Ltd ABN 61 135 355 958

 

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