Bug Identifier
Cutworm moth (likely a black cutworm)
Community identification

Cutworm moth (likely a black cutworm)

Agrotis sp. (possibly Agrotis ipsilon)

Order & Family
Lepidoptera; Noctuidae
Size
Adult wingspan typically 3–5 cm.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Fields, gardens, grasslands, and other areas with low vegetation; adults may enter buildings at night.

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars feed on seedlings and the stems or roots of many plants; adults mainly feed on nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal moths that rest with wings folded over the body. Larvae hide in soil by day and often cut young plants near ground level at night.

Risks & Benefits

Larvae can damage crops and garden seedlings; adults are harmless to people and may pollinate flowers.