Damage Symptoms:

•  Severing of seedlings and young plants: Cutworms cut off plants at or below ground level, leading to missing or wilted plants. 
• Wilting and lodging: Damage to stems can disrupt water and nutrient flow, causing wilting and potentially lodging of older plants. 
• "Shot holes" in leaves: Early instar larvae may create irregular holes in tender leaves. 
• Irregular holes in fruits: Some cutworms may feed on the surface of fruits, especially those touching the ground. 
• Tunnelling into stems: Older larvae can burrow into the stems of larger plants. 
• Damage to tubers: Some species may also damage tubers, such as potatoes, by eating them. 

Target Crops:

Cutworms have a broad host range, but some common target crops include:

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, corn, beans, potatoes, cole crops (cabbage, broccoli, etc.), lettuce, carrots, spinach. 
• Field Crops: Corn, soybean, cotton, and other grains. 
• Fruits: Some species may also damage tree fruits and small fruits.