VARIEGATED CUTWORM: Peridroma saucia, Noctuidae

ADULT: These moderate sized moths have a wing span approaching that of black cutworms and range from 1 5/8 to 2 in. The kidney-shaped (reniform) and nearly round orbicular spots (proximal to reniform spot) in the central fore wing are both large and ringed with black. Fore wing color and other markings are variable from greenish to reddish-brown with similar colored spots to blackish along front half.  The rear half of the forewings is clay-colored with blackish spots. Hind wings are irridescent to pearly white with brown veins and margins. Moths begin depositing eggs 7 to 14 d after emergence.

EGG: The white (becoming darker with age), rounded eggs have rounded bottoms and ribs radiating from the top. Eggs are deposited in egg masses of up to several hundred per mass.  Larvae emerge in 4 to 6 d.

LARVA: Body color is brownish gray to nearly black on top of back and lighter below. A row of whitish to yellow circular spots run down the center of the back, particularly on the first four abdominal segments. Cuticle is smooth without granulation. An orange to brown line may connect the spiracles, below which there is usually some yellowish to orangish coloration. The head is orange-brown and marked with darker spots.  Sutures on front of head form an inverted "V". Larvae have three pairs of true legs and five pairs of prolegs. Larvae complete development in about 21 d at 77 degrees F.

PUPA: The reddish-brown pupae are found in the soil. Adults emerge in 33 d at 59 degrees F and 13 d at 77 degrees F.

GENERATION TIME: About 40 d at 77 degrees F.

DAMAGE: Variegated cutworms attack most vegetables grown in Florida. Larvae cut off seedlings at ground level or defoliate older plants.

CONTROL: Wasp and fly parasitoids can eliminate at much as 75% of these pests.  They are also atacked by virus and fungi. Black light and pheromone traps can be used to monitor adults.  Seedling corn should be scouted as frequently as twice per week to detect cutworms or their damage, particularly in areas known for this pest. Young larvae may be found grouped together on foliage, but older larvae will usually be found in soil or beneath leaf trash during the day.  Pesticides are available for at-plant, pre- and post-emerence broadcast and banded applications. Formulations, rates, and pre-harvest intervals of insecticides for variegated cutworm control are listed below for sweet corn (Table 1) and field corn (Table 2).