A single black cutworm ( Agrotis ipsilon) larva is capable of destroying an average of 5 corn plants before pupating, meaning high-density infestations can cause huge amounts of damage to corn and a variety of other crops, including alfalfa and cotton. For example, the variegated cutworm ( Peridroma saucia) is considered one of the most harmful vegetable pests in the world. Many species are major agricultural and garden pests. These caterpillars typically hide in the soil during the day, then emerge at night to feed as a strategy to avoid predators.

When exposed, cutworms curl into a characteristic tight ball. Most cutworms are less than 2 inches long, ranging in color from light gray to brown or green, often with longitudinal stripes. The name refers to their destructive habit of cutting down seedlings and young plants at or below the soil surface, though some can climb and thereby defoliate larger plants. As such, cutworms are caterpillars - not actually worms at all. “Cutworm” refers to the larvae of certain moth species, most of which are in the family Noctuidae. Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 1.3.4 4) Wild chamomile (Matricaria discoidea) The variegated cutworm (pictured) is considered to be one of the most harmful vegetable pests in the world.

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