Variegated cutworm

Identification. The most distinguishing characteristic of the variegated cutworm is the 4 to 7 pale yellow, circular spots on the back of the larva. Its general body color is variable, but usually brown. The underside of the caterpillar is cream colored. There is a narrow, orange-brown stripe along the side. The adult moths have grayish brown forewings and have a pale oval marking near the wing edge, adjacent to a darker kidney-shaped marking. Adult moths also have small dark notch markings on the edge of their forewings.
Life Cycle. They overwinter as half grown larvae in soil or under plant debris in or around crop fields. Larvae begin feeding in April and mature in late April and May. Larvae pupate in earthen cells in the soil. Adults emerge in May and early June and deposit eggs on the undersides of leaves. Eggs hatch in 4 to 7 days and larvae begin feeding on plant foliage. Larvae feed for 4 to 6 weeks and then pupate in the soil. Summer generation adults emerge in late August and deposit eggs. Larvae hatching from these eggs feed until cold weather and then become inactive and overwinter. There are two overlapping generations each year.
Damage. Variegated cutworm larvae feed on foliage of vegetables crops such as beans. Heavy infestations may cause complete defoliation of plants.