
Community identification
Cutworm moth (likely a black cutworm)
Agrotis sp. (possibly Agrotis ipsilon)
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera; Noctuidae
- Size
- Adult wingspan typically 3–5 cm.
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.