FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS

Created in Afghanistan, October 2012 www.plantwise.org cutworm

Recognize the problem Black cutworm and damaged stalk. (Photo by Clemson University The most common species found are the black and variegated cutworms. The Extension) larvae are usually earthen-coloured with various stripes or spotted colour patterns. They curl into a C-shape when disturbed. The adults are dull-coloured brown to greyish . Cutworm larvae may cut off the stems of young potato plants and later feed on leaves. Tubers that are exposed or set very shallow in the soil may get damaged by cutworm attack. Background Most cutworms live through the winter as young larvae but a few species live as pupae or sleeping moths. These may be found under trash or bark, in bundles of grass or in earthen cells in the soil. The cutworm larvae become active and start feeding at night as the weather warms in spring. Normally there is one generation per year. The moths crawl from their brown pupal cases in the soil and climb up through the tunnel made by the burrowing larva. If this tunnel is blocked, the cannot escape. Cutworm numbers and The variegated cutworm. (Photo by development are greatly affected by weather, especially rainfall. The moths R. J. Reynolds) mate and lay eggs in late summer, beginning the next generation. The moths often seek out grassy or weedy areas to lay their eggs, which are usually deposited on plant stems or in the soil. One female may lay hundreds of eggs. The hatching larvae feed until the cold weather starts and then hide from the winter in a sheltered, dry place. Management • Plough the fallow fields in mid to late summer to destroy eggs • Plough the fields in the fall to expose the hidden larvae or deeply buried pupae • Plough the fields in spring after vegetation has appeared and grown a few inches then delay seeding to starve the cutworms • If practical in your field, place paper, foils or cardboard collars around the potato plants. The collars should extend a few inches into the soil and several inches up the stem • Dig the soil around damaged or adjacent plants in the row then find and destroy the cutworms • Plant a thick "trap crop" of sunflower around the field and, if possible, find and destroy attacking cutworms daily • Place a ring of moist wood ashes around the plants • If possible, encourage the population of frogs in the field so they can eat the cutworms

Scientific name(s) > , saucia

The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to: Afghanistan

Authors: Naqibullah (Amir) Shinwari Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock (MAIL) Edited by Plantwise. tel: (+93)796339131 email: [email protected]

Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI Lose Less, Feed More ©CAB International. Published under a CC-BY-SA 4.0 licence. AF004En