Cutworms / Armyworms / Fall Armyworms

What it looks like

You'll usually see the damage before the bugs themselves, since they feed at night and hide in thatch or soil during the day. Fall armyworm damage often shows a sharp, clear line between chewed-up and healthy grass, radiating out from a central spot. Cutworms leave ragged, clipped grass blades and small round holes. If your lawn looks like it dried out overnight, check for these caterpillars before assuming it's drought.

Often mistaken for: Drought stress

When it shows up in the Triangle

Fall armyworms migrate up from the south and their egg-laying peaks in mid-summer, with multiple generations possible. Outbreaks tend to be earlier and heavier after mild winters.

Where you’ll see it

Affects home lawns and other turf areas.

What you can do

• Reduce thatch buildup, since it gives larvae a place to hide
• Clear excess mulch or debris near lawn edges
• Encourage birds and parasitic wasps, which prey on these caterpillars
• Avoid unnecessary broad-spectrum sprays that kill off those helpful predators
• Check for small larvae early, since they're much easier to knock back than large ones