Cut Worms
Cut worms are caterpillar larvae of several kinds of dull-colored,
medium-sized moths. They chew through plant stems and kill young plants.
They attack at night, do their damage, and retreat to their shelter underground
during the day, coiled in a ball.
The best way to prevent cut worm damage to young plants, like tomato, egg plant, or peppers, is to place stiff cardboard or metal collars around the plant. The collars need to be at lease two inches into the soil and two inches above the soil.
If you choose to use a chemical control, be sure to read and follow all label instructions.
Deep spading the garden in the fall and cleaning out all plant debris, weeds, and grasses will destroy cut worm eggs and reduce the population the following Spring.
Revised: 03/10/98
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