Insect
Variegated Cutworm Moth
Peridroma sauciaAlso known as Pearly Underwing, Variegated Cutworm
Variegated cutworm moths are robust nocturnal migrants capable of traveling hundreds of kilometers on high-altitude winds to colonize northern fields each spring. The larvae feed voraciously at night on dozens of crop varieties, slicing tender young seedlings at the soil level before retreating underground by daybreak. Their semi-translucent, mother-of-pearl hindwings remain concealed beneath mottled brown forewings until the moth takes flight.
NocturnalMigratoryHerbivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyTomato foliage, Alfalfa, Clover
Predators
- Insectivorous bats
- Ground beetles
- Parasitoid wasps
ThreatsAgricultural insecticides, severe frosts, and light pollution
HabitatsCultivated fields, vegetable gardens, open meadows, and pastures
Life span4–8 weeks total (adult stage lasts 1–3 weeks)
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNoctuidae
- GenusPeridroma
- SpeciesPeridroma saucia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Light Trapping: Attract adult moths after dark using a white sheet illuminated with an ultraviolet lamp.
- Garden Inspection: Search beneath the soil surface near severed vegetable seedlings at dusk to find larvae.
Competitor (c) SteveM4560, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by SteveM4560 · cc-by
Same Family Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (Lmbuga Commons)(Lmbuga Galipedia) Publicada por/Publish by: Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Same Family (c) Bernie Paquette, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bernie Paquette · cc-by
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Found in Collections
Species set
Moonlight Marvels
Variegated Cutworm Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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