Yellow-headed Cutworm Moth
Common NameYellow-headed Cutworm Moth
Scientific NameApamea amputatrix
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, gray, white
HabitatAgricultural fields, gardens, grasslands, open woodlands
Geographic RangeNorth America (southern Canada to southern United States)
Host Plantscorn, wheat, oats, cabbage, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, various grasses and broadleaf weeds
Flight PeriodMay to October
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae, known as cutworms, are stout, grayish-brown caterpillars that feed at night, often cutting young plants at the soil line. They typically overwinter as larvae or pupae in the soil and pupate in an earthen cell.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the prominent orange-yellow head and thorax, combined with the variegated brown and gray forewing pattern. The overall robust build is also characteristic of cutworm moths.
Description
A robust moth characterized by its mottled forewings, which display a complex pattern of reddish-brown, dark brown, and light gray or white markings. Its most distinctive feature is the prominent orange-yellow head and thorax.
