Cutworms Reference Page
Top: Crops: Alfalfa Seed: Cutworms:
Cutworms in Alfalfa Seed Reference Page
Variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia ID photos:
fact page
(pdf): 
Redbacked cutworm Euxoa ochrogaster ID photos:
fact page
(pdf): Army cutworm Euxoa auxiliaris
Clover cutworm Scotogramma trifolii
Cutworms usually feed at night. They cut off young plants or feed on the foliage of older plants. If alfalfa fields do not “green up” in the spring, it may indicate the presence of cutworms (particularly redbacked or army cutworms). By day, larvae are found in the soil usually at the moisture line or under surface litter.
Some growers have claimed better control of larvae if fields are irrigated prior to treating.
1. Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Deliver) at 0.25 to 1.5 lb product/a. PHI zero days.
2. lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior) at 0.015 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day for forage, 7 days for hay. Apply no more than 0.12 lb ai/a per season. Do not apply on the ground within 25 ft, by air within 150 ft, or by ULV within 450 ft of aquatic habitat.
3. gamma cyhalothrin at 0.0075 to 0.0125 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day for forage, and 7 days for hay. REI 1 day. Do not apply more than 0.06 lb ai/a per season.
4. permethrin at 0.05 to 0.2 lb ai/a. PHI zero days at rates less than 0.1 lb ai/a; 14 days for rate equal to or greater than 0.1 lb ai/a. Do not apply more than 0.2 lb ai/a per season. If used during bloom, remove bees from field for 3 days.
5. zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.028 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days for cutting or grazing, 7 days for seed harvest. Applications must be at least 7 days apart. Apply no more than 0.15 lb ai/a per season. Do not apply on the ground within 25 ft, by air within 150 ft, or by ULV within 450 ft of aquatic habitat.
Source: 2007 PNW Insect Control Handbook
updated March 26, 2007