Several species of cutworms damage field corn in Tennessee, with the black cutworm being most common. Cutworm damage is most frequently found during cool, wet seasons when corn is following legume cover crops or in reduced tillage systems. Moths lay eggs on winter weeds in early spring and cutworms move to emerging corn once this vegetation has been killed. Cutworms are less likely to cause economic damage after corn reaches two feet in height.
Management options
Insecticide (Trade Names) for CUTWORMS Lb Active Ingredient per Acre Amount Formulation per Acre Performance Rating
bifenthrin (Brigade 2E, Discipline 2E, Fanfare 2E) 0.033 - 0.10 2.1 - 6.4 oz 8
carbaryl (Sevin XLR Plus 4) 2 64 oz 5
esfenvalerate (Asana XL 0.66E) 0.03 - 0.05 5.8 - 9.6 oz 8
permethrin (Pounce 3.2E) 0.1 - 0.2 4 - 8 oz 8
β-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL 1) 0.006 - 0.0125 0.8 - 1.6 oz 8
γ-cyhalothrin (Declare 1.25) 0.008 - 0.0125 0.77 - 1.28 oz 8
λ-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) 0.016 - 0.026 0.96 - 1.6 oz 8
Z-cypermethrin (Mustang Maxx 0.8E) 0.008 - 0.0175 1.28 - 2.8 oz 8
- Burndown with herbicides well in advance of planting (3-4 weeks) can reduce the risks of infestation.
- Certain Bt corn technologies provide some protection against cutworms.