The variegated cutworm is a common cutworm pest of alfalfa and vegetable crops. Similar reports are coming out of SW Oklahoma as well. What they found in two of the five fields we checked was unsettling seed pods being consumed by variegated cutworm caterpillars.

After receiving phone calls from several people about caterpillars infesting canola, Royer traveled with Heath Sanders of Producers Cooperative Oil Mill and Josh Bushong, OSU Canola Extension Specialist to look at some canola fields in Kingfisher County around the Okarche area. This year is no exception on the insect front.

Tom Royer says he heard Heath Sanders say 'we learn something new about canola every year'. Life cycle lengths vary between species and environmental conditions, ranging from one month to a year.Scout for Cutworms/Armyworms and Spray When You Find Them in Your Canola Sun, 06:16:00 CDTĭuring the Oklahoma canola field days last week, at every stop Dr. Cutworms pupate in the soil and moths emerge from the pupae. Once hatched, caterpillars pass through several moults before reaching full size. Depending on temperature, eggs can take from three days to several weeks to hatch. Moths lay creamy-white eggs on plant material near the soil surface. Younger plants are more susceptible to attack than older plants. Smaller caterpillars often feed on leaf surface tissue, producing damage similar to lucerne flea. Entire paddocks can be decimated or severely thinned, particularly early in the season. Cutworms can be distinguished by a lack of stripes, which differs to the other species.ĭamage is most common when large (>20 mm) caterpillars transfer from summer weeds to autumn weeds, which usually coincides with emergence of winter crops. Cutworm caterpillars and adults are very similar in appearance to armyworms, native budworm, lesser budworm and corn earworm. Caterpillars and moths tend to be more active at night. Adult cutworm moths have patterned wings, are good fliers and attracted to lights. When picked up, caterpillar cutworms curl up into a C shape. Cutworm caterpillars grow to 40 mm long, are hairless, plump and smooth with a dark head. Several species of cutworms exist and they are similar in appearance.

TruFlex canola with Roundup Ready Technology.

Bollgard 3 with Roundup Ready Flex Cotton.

Gaucho 600 Red Flowable Seed Dressing Insecticide.

Roundup Ready PL Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD Technology.

Roundup Ready Herbicide with PLANTSHIELD.

Download white cutworm