This year, I am finding a few cutworms in my planter boxes.

Aug 09, Red currants are attacked most frequently. Cut out and destroy infested canes as early as possible. Once the larvae bore into canes, chemical control is not possible. Imported Currant Worm. The imported currant worm, Nematis ribesii (Scopoli), is the most serious insect pest of currants and gooseberries, with the latter being the favored host Estimated Reading Time: 5 mins.

Cutworms chew through plant stems at the base. They primarily feed on roots and foliage of young plants, and will even cut off the plant from underneath the soil.

In most cases, entire plants will be destroyed; they do a lot of damage in no time at all. Even if only the bottom of the plant is destroyed, the top will often shrivel and die. Cutworms get their name because they cut down young plants as they feed on stems.

Older leaves will be spotted with many tiny, light spots.

There are climbing cutworms that move up plants and feed on foliage, buds and shoots. Seedlings are most susceptible to cutworm feeding.

Physical removal is effective in many cases. There are pesticide options if cutworm problems are severe. A currant bush can be a target for damaging predators. Photo by Andrea Saxton / WSU Skagit County Extension Master Gardeners.

Why do we need this?

Tilling the soil under the base of your currant bushes or trees in fall and spring will damage some cocoons and bring others to the surface for ground beetles, centipedes and other beneficial insects and animals to feed. Jun 20, A cutworm is the larvae of a species of moth that is most often found stump removal in lexington nc the top inch or two of soil.

The most common type of cutworm climbs up the stem of a young plant, wraps around it and cuts it down as it feeds on it. Hence the name!

When disturbed, the cutworms curl up in to a “C” shape.