Green Cutworm Moth
Common NameGreen Cutworm Moth
Scientific NameAnicla infecta
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsgray, brown, black
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, open woodlands
Geographic RangeNorth America (eastern US and Canada), Central America, South America
Host Plantscorn, wheat, rye, oats, clover, alfalfa, tobacco, various grasses and herbaceous plants
Flight PeriodMarch to November (multiple broods)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as cutworms, are nocturnal feeders that often sever young plants at the base. They pupate in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled grayish-brown forewings with a reddish wash, the two prominent black spots (reniform and orbicular), and the darker brown shading near the wing margins.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled grayish-brown forewings, often with a reddish-brown tint, featuring two distinct black spots and a darker brown subterminal band. The hindwings are typically paler.
