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.
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General Characteristics Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
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.
Territorial Map U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Alaska
Hawaii
Prince Edward Is.
Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
1
Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used for sensing.
2
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.
3
Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
4
Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.
5
Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.
6
Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.
NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.
Colors: brown; tan
