Extension agent: Be wary of Army Cutworm Moths in the coming weeks
Sumner Newscow report — The following is a press release by Sumner County Extension Agent Randy Hein issued through the extension office:
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“Sumner County along with the rest of the state could use some rain. Hopefully, for the sake of the wheat crop and spring crop planting, we will get some of the predicted rain next week. With that being said, we will still have an onslaught of Miller Moths in the coming weeks.
So, what is a “Miller Moth”? A very wide “umbrella term” describing various moth species with powdery/dusty wings. Because virtually all moth species have wings covered with scales, what moth, then, could not be categorized as a “miller moth”?
The current “miller moths” in question actually are army cutworm moths. While some people may describe them as “plain-looking brown moths”, they actually have intricate and distinctive wing markings. There is considerable variation in the appearance of army cutworm moths. Five morphological forms exist. To further add to the variety of appearances, female moths appear grayish while males tend towards brownish colorations.
Each year in the central plain states, overwintered army cutworms complete their feeding activities in early spring and then pupate towards the end of April and beginning of May. By mid-May, most moths have emerged —- and this is when they become a nuisance. They seek shelter/cover in any conceivable space: a car window left open overnight is an example – and when one gets ready to drive to work, he/she will be greeted by a flurry of excited moths; open a trash can to deposit a trash bag an you may be greeted by excited moths; take an early morning walk and as you pass a line of shrubs, you may be startled by hundreds of excited moths darting out; and so on. In homes, catch or swat a moth on your wall or curtains/sheers and you will find a coating of “dust”/wing scales left behind.
Because moths can exploit very small openings, it is virtually impossible to exclude moths from entering homes/buildings. However, the nuisance period is short-lived. Simply, as if by magic, moths quickly disappear. On an unknown cue, moths from the entire central plains region form massive westward flights to the Rocky Mountains. Feeding throughout the summer at the cooler higher elevations, moths become sexually mature and also accumulate fat reserves. By fall, moths migrate back to the central plains. Each female moth is capable of producing between 1,000 and 3,000 eggs.
Larvae emerge and begin feeding. Partially grown larvae are then the overwintering stage of the species. Another interesting tidbit about army cutworm moths: Grizzly bears love them. During the summer months, bears move to the higher elevations to feast on army cutworm moths. A single moth possesses half calorie of fat content. It has been estimated that bears obtain 20,000 calories of fat on a daily basis by consuming 40,000 moths per day.
