Cutworms

Agrotis and other Noctuidae

Moth larvae that hide in the soil by day and chew through seedling stems at the soil line at night.

Signs

Seedlings or transplants cut off at the soil line, lying where they stood.
Brown, gray or tan grubs that curl into a C, in the soil within a foot of the damage.
Damage appears overnight.

Weedy or grassy ground turned over shortly before planting, where moths laid eggs.

Clear weeds and till before planting.
Put a collar of cardboard or a cut cup around each transplant stem, a few inches into the soil.
Set out sturdy transplants rather than small seedlings in problem beds.

DiseaseDamping-off PestSlugs and snails

Treatment by crop

Cultural, biological and chemical options in the order to use them, and notes written for each crop.

Identification is free. Treatment is on the Home and Pro plans.

Open in the key See plans

Look the plant over, leaf undersides included. Are insects, mites, slugs, eggs, webbing or droppings on it?
No, only damage or discoloration
Where is the problem?
Seedlings or new transplants
What happened to the seedlings?
Cut clean at the soil line, lying on the ground

Not a match? Start the key or describe what you see.

More from university Extension: search Extension pages on cutworms, or find a plant diagnostic lab through your state's Extension.