Cutworms actually feed at night on grass blades that they chew off close to the base of the plant. Larvae emerge and begin feeding as early as June with damage appearing in June/July. They lay their eggs in the spring during the night leaving them on grass blades.

The adult cutworm appears in the spring as a grayish/brown moth with a 1–1 ½ ” (2 ½–4 cm) wingspan. To control an insect population we must understand its habits and life cycle. When these birds return frequently to an area cutworm larva may be present. Other symptoms to watch for include birds - starlings have a keen ability to locate cutworm larvae. The damage looks quite similar to symptoms of dryness and many homeowners mistakenly assume that the lawn requires only water to restore the lush-green appearance. Stems, leaves and roots of grass plants may be injured, leaving yellowish-brown dead patches with a hollow hole in the middle of the circle.

During the day, they burrow into vertical holes to hide, and when nightfall arrives, they emerge from their burrowed hole and feed at the rim of the hole. Cutworms live on the soil surface or in the thatch layer. Cutworms are large, plump, dull-colored grayish-green-and-brown larvae that viciously chew on grass plants.

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