Greasy cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) has a very wide host range including many vegetables, maize, sweetcorn and other cereals, grasses, lucerne, white clover, and weeds such as docks and plantains. Cutworm occurs in all maize growing regions in New Zealand.
Key points
- Cutworm attack maize, sweetcorn, cereals, grasses, many vegetables, lucerne, white clover, and weeds such as docks and plantains.
- Greasy cutworm damage can begin before maize emerges but most occurs after emergence.
- Maize seedlings are typically cut at ground level and felled.
- Each cutworm can destroy 2 - 5 plants, and adult female moths lay 600 - 800 eggs each.
- Damage is worst after a short fallow period and in weedy fields, therefore use a six-week fallow period before planting maize.
- Neonicotinoid seed treatments can provide short term (several weeks) control.
- Scout crops regularly from emergence for damage and apply insecticide to the seedlings and soil if required.
- Synthetic pyrethroids are the most cost-effective insecticides for cutworm control.