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Identifying cutworms on Lettuce
Fat, greasy-looking grey-brown caterpillars found in soil at night.
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Life cycle
Moths lay eggs on foliage. Larvae overwinter in soil. Pupate in spring.
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Damage to Lettuce
Cut through stems of seedlings at or just below soil level. Can destroy entire seedling beds overnight.
healing
How to treat cutworms on Lettuce
Cardboard collar around stem base. Diatomaceous earth. Nematodes. Hand-pick at night.
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Preventing cutworms on Lettuce
Till soil before planting to expose pupae. Cardboard collars. Remove weeds.