Black Army Cutworm

Question 1

What hosts are susceptible to the Black army cutworm attacks?

Answer 1

All conifer seedlings are attacked, primarily white spruce and lodgepole pine.

Question 2

Which BEC zones are most susceptible?

Answer 2

ESSF, ICH, IDF, and MS

Question 3

What does the larvae look like?

Answer 3

The larvae looks black with racing stripes reaching 3-7cm in length.

Question 4

Where does the larvae hide during the day?

Answer 4

The larvae will typically hide in the soil.

Question 5

What does the adult moth look like?

Answer 5

Brownish in color with small black markings on the forewings.

Question 6

How many eggs can a female moth lay?

Answer 6

She can lay just one egg, or up to 30 in large masses or weeds and debris.

Question 7

What is the 3 – letter code for the Black army cutworm?

Answer 7

IDA!

Question 8

What is the latin name for Black army cutworm?

Answer 8

Actebia fennica

Question 9

How many generations can they make in a year?

Answer 9

Juan. There is one generation per year

Question 10

What is the general life cycle of the Black army cutworm?

Answer 10

Eggs are laid on the foliage, soils, ash and hatch in the late summer. It overwinters in larvae stage and becomes active during the months of May-June.

Question 11

What is the preferred food source for the hatching caterpillars?

Answer 11

Numerous non-conifer food plants sprouting in burned areas.

Question 12

What type of sites are not prone to extensive damage?

Answer 12

Sites with adequate moisture and burned after September 15.

Question 13

What are 3 – factors that could contribute to an outbreak?

Answer 13

High population, minimal herbs (optimal food source) on site, and freshly planted seedlings.

Question 14

How often do outbreaks occur?

Answer 14

Dependant on the site, but usually at 20 year intervals.

Question 15

What are the damaging impacts to the host?

Answer 15

Defoliation with shot holes in the foliage, damaged buds, reduced height, potential mortality, and predisposition for other pathogens and insects.

Question 16

Moisture stress trees induce more significant mortality. What is the percent of mortality is for infected and moisture stressed sites?

Answer 16

40% mortality for moisture stressed seedlings as opposed to the 15 % mortality for no moisture stress.

Question 17

Order the 3 species (PI, Sx, Fd) from least to most resistant to the Black army cutworm.

Answer 17

Fd - Most susceptible / Sx - Has significant mortality if more than 60% defoliated / PI is most resistant to damage.

Question 18

What larvae stage can defoliate a seedling in 2 days?

Answer 18

The L6, especially for freshly planted seedlings.

Question 19

When is the Black beast most actively feeding?

Answer 19

During the morning in early spring and switch to night feeding in late spring.

Question 20

What sites are the most attractive for this beast?

Answer 20

Recently burned sites. Adult moths are attracted to burned sites to lay their eggs, so recently burned sites within one year are most attractive.

Question 21

How can the pest be monitored?

Answer 21

The pest is monitored by pheromone traps in the summer/fall producing a low, med or high rating.

Question 22

When is the most optimal time to plant after a burn?

Answer 22

Burn and plant in the fall. Seedlings will develop roots without having its growth impeded, providing greater resistance to the outbreak. Closely monitor spring-burned sites.

Question 23

How to manage planting for cutworm damage on Dry vs. Wet sites?

Answer 23

Plant immediately on moist sites and delay planting for a year on dry sites to reduce losses.

Question 24

Does the planting technique affect the growth and resiliency of the seedling?

Answer 24

Yes, minimizing the damage to the roots while planting will ensure healthy roots, reducing the potential for damage by the A. Fennica.

Question 25

Did you like the quiz ?!

Answer 25

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