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Cutworms: signs and treatment in Jamaica
Soil-dwelling caterpillars that sever young seedlings at the soil line during the night. PlantArmor's crop guides list cutworms as a common problem on carrot.
Signs to look for
- Seedlings completely severed at the base
- Caterpillars found curled in a 'C' shape in the soil near the stem
What to do
Crops it affects
Questions growers ask
How do I recognise cutworms?
Soil-dwelling caterpillars that sever young seedlings at the soil line during the night. The signs to look for: Seedlings completely severed at the base. Caterpillars found curled in a 'C' shape in the soil near the stem.
What should I do about cutworms?
Use physical collars around seedlings. Apply Lambda-cyhalothrin (Karate) or poison baits at the soil surface. Always read the product label and observe the registered rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval before you apply any pesticide.
Which crops are affected by cutworms in Jamaica?
PlantArmor's crop guides list cutworms as a common problem on carrot.
Check it in the field
PlantArmor's reference library works offline, so you can compare what you are seeing against it standing in the plot, then log the spray you use along with its re-entry and pre-harvest intervals. Free to use.
This description and treatment come from the same reference library the PlantArmor app uses in the field. Pesticide registrations and permitted uses change — always read the current product label and observe the stated rate, re-entry period and pre-harvest interval.