Army Cutworm Moth

A common pest of turf grass, the Army Cutworm is a nuisance in the plains and western parts of the continent.

Updated: 5/26/2020; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Army Cutworm Moth Videos

A slow-moving Army Cutworm, taking breaks while digging

Grasses of all kinds, including crops like young wheat, are a favorite food for the caterpillar of the Army Cutworm Moth. Known simply as the Army Cutworm, the grayish-brown, worm-like larva chew down blades of cut and even cuts out 'window panes' while feeding. The result is a bedraggled appearance to the plant and is a nuisance to those growing crops. The caterpillars are plump and have pairs of small black dots along a wide, lighter 'back' stripe. Long, thin stripes form as the caterpillar matures.

The adult moth is also called a Miller Moth because its dusty appearance was thought to look like flour in a mill. The light brown moth cannot tolerate cold winters in the northern part of its range, so each summer, it flies north and even upward into the mountains to feed on wildflowers there. Eggs are laid back in the warmer south. Hatched larvae travel at night just under the soil surface to new patches of food when an area is completely consumed. Farmers scout their fields to keep abreast of any cutworm damage in the event it is severe and requiring management/control.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Noctuidae

Genus: Euxoa

Species: auxiliaris

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Euxoa auxiliaris

Other Name(s): Miller Moth

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 17mm to 22mm (0.66in to 0.86in)

Colors: brown; tan

Descriptors: tan edges; reniform spots; tooth border; round spots; flying; pest

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Army Cutworm Moth (Euxoa auxiliaris)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Army Cutworm Moth.

A common pest of turf grass, the Army Cutworm is a nuisance in the plains and western parts of the continent.

Army Cutworm Moth Videos