Missouri Pest Monitoring Network
Black Cutworm I.D.
![Black Cutworm wings spread, male and female](images/bcwMoth.jpg)
Identification of moth
(stage attracted to and captured in traps)
- Relatively large with wingspans of 1.5-2.0 inches
- Brownish color
- Single, black, dagger-like mark on each forewing
![Black Cutworm dagger identification with wings closed](images/bcwMothID.jpg)
Identification of larvae
![Black Cutworm curled up larvae](images/bcwLarvae.jpg)
- Rough, grainy skin ranging from light gray to black
- Pale indistinct, narrow stripe along the center of the back
- Curl into a "C" shape when disturbed
Differentiate between:
black cutworm and dingy cutworm larvae
![Black Cutworm illustration to show pale band along top of body, two black stripes on head, and the uneven paired spots](images/bcwDiagram.jpg)
Pairs of dorsal spots (tubercles) are unequal in size on black cutworm larvae and equal in size on dingy cutworm larvae