In This Section

Topics

Corn: Black Cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon)

Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 29 June 2005
Last Reviewed: 28 July 2007
Pub 812: Field Crop Protection Guide > Chapter 2 : Corn > Black Cutworm

Excerpt from Chapter 2, Field Crop Protection Guide, Order this publication

Table of Contents

  1. Description
  2. Integrated Pest Management Options
  3. Related links...

Description

Larvae are greyish-black with a paler underside and no distinct markings on their bodies. Mature larvae are about 3.5 cm (1 1/4 in.) long and hide in the soil during the day. They can be found near freshly cut plants, under soil clumps or along a poorly closed seed furrow. Adult moths are grey with a small black dagger marking on each forewing.

Image 1. Black cutworm larvae are greyish-black with a paler underside. Mature larvae are about 3.5 cm (1.25") long. Corn plant has been cut at the soil level.
Image 1. Black cutworm larvae are greyish-black with a paler underside. Mature larvae are about 3.5 cm (1.25") long. Corn plant has been cut at the soil level.

| Top of Page |

Integrated Pest Management Options

Risk factors: winter annual weeds and volunteer wheat before planting, no-till, heavy soybean residue. Control annual weeds at least 3 weeks prior to planting to reduce attraction by adult moths flying in from the US.
Soil-Applied at Planting Only
tefluthrin – Force 3 G
Active ingredient tefluthrin
Trade name Force 3 G
Rate (product) 37.5 g per 100 m (328 ft) row

Comments
Soil-applied control is not as good as a well-timed rescue treatment. May be applied as a banded or in-furrow application. For banded applications, place directly in a 15-cm band ahead of the press wheel. For in-furrow application, place all material directly in the open seed furrow, behind the planter disc openers.

Seed Treatment

Cutworm is a sporadic pest. Using seed treatments specifically for black cutworm control is not recommended unless the field has had a continous history of cutworm injury.

clothianidin – Poncho 250
Active ingredient clothianidin
Trade name Poncho 250
Rate (product) 33.3 mL per 80,000 kernels

Comments
For use in commercial seed treaters only. Seed-applied insecticides can affect seed drop and final plant stands. Use talc or graphite according to planter recommendations to ensure accuracy.

| Top of Page |

Transgenic Corn - Herculex 1, Herculex Xtra

See Table 1 - 10, Transgenic Crops Expressing Insecticidal or Fungicidal Traits for Bt Corn options.

Comments
Herculex varieties only. May only control young larvae.

| Top of Page |

Rescue Treatments

Scout early! Cutworms are easier to control when small. Look out for leaf feeding (pinholes) by young climbing larvae as a first sign of damage. If more than 10% of plants show leaf feeding, treating at this time will give nearly 100% control.

permethrin – Pounce EC
Active ingredient permethrin
Trade name Pounce EC
Rate per hectare (product) 175-390 mL per ha
Rate per acre (product) 70-156 mL per ac

Comments
Seedling stage only. Apply under warm, moist conditions in evening or night when cutworms are most active. Do not disturb soil for 5 days after application

cypermethrin – Ripcord 400 EC
Active ingredient cypermethrin
Trade name Ripcord 400 EC
Rate per hectare (product) 175 mL per ha
Rate per acre (product) 70 mL per ac

Comments
Seedling stage only. Apply under warm, moist conditions in evening or night when cutworms are most active. Do not disturb soil for 5 days after application. 21 days to harvest

chlorpyrifos – Lorsban 4E
Active ingredient chlorpyrifos
Trade name Lorsban 4E
Rate per hectare (product) 1.2-2.4 L per ha
Rate per acre (product) 480-960 L per ac

Comments
Seedling stage only. 70 days to harvest.

chlorpyrifos – Pyrinex 480 EC
Active ingredient chlorpyrifos
Trade name Pyrinex 480 EC
Rate per hectare (product) 1.2-2.4 L per ha
Rate per acre (product) 480-960 L per ac

Comments
Seedling stage only. Apply once per season. 70 days to harvest

cyhalothrin-lambda – Matador 120 EC
Active ingredient cyhalothrin-lambda
Trade name Matador 120 EC
Rate per hectare (product) 83 mL per ha
Rate per acre (product) 34 mL per ac

Comments
Seedling stage only. Ground or aerial application. Apply under warm, moist conditions in evening or night when cutworms are most active. Do not disturb soil for 5 days after application. 3 applications/season, 2 may be by air. 14 days to harvest.

| Top of Page |

Related links...

| Top of Page |

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca