However, army cutworms also occur in western Colorado and may be an important crop pests in late winter and spring. Adults similarly migrate to the mountains to spend the summer but less frequently occur as serious nuisance pests along the West Slope. The army cutworm has an unusual life history. Eggs are laid by the moths in late summer and early fall. Most eggs are laid in weedy areas of wheat fields, alfalfa fields, or other areas where vegetation is thick—including turfgrass.
Eggs hatch within a few weeks and the young caterpillars begin to feed. Army cutworm has a wide range of plants on which it feeds. It prefers broadleaf plants but will also feed on grasses. Army cutworms spend the winter as a partially grown caterpillar, feeding as temperatures allow. In early spring the cutworms may damage crops, particularly alfalfa and winter wheat. They may also damage garden plants and are common in lawns. Army cutworms become full grown by mid-spring, burrow into the soil, and pupate.
Pupation can occur as early as March or may extend into early May, depending on temperatures. Next, they migrate and ultimately settle at higher elevations where they spend a few months, feeding on nectar and resting in sheltered areas. During this time they are in reproductive diapause , a physiological state during which they do not produce nor lay eggs. In early fall or late summer, they return to lower elevations, come out of diapause, and begin to lay eggs, repeating the annual, single generation life cycle.
Miller moths are the migrating adult stage of the army cutworm. In eastern Colorado, spring flights move westward, originating from moths that developed across eastern Colorado and border areas of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma where army cutworm also occurs. A likely explanation for the migration is that it allows the moths a reliable source of summer flowers. Flowers provide nectar which the moths use for food. In addition, the cooler temperatures of the higher elevations may be less stressful to the moths, allowing them to conserve energy and live longer.
During outbreak years, miller moth flights typically last five to six weeks, generally starting between mid-May and early June. However, they tend to cause most nuisance problems for only two to three weeks. Exactly when the flights occur and for how long varies. During the outbreak high populations were present from early May through mid-June. However, in , a year that also was above average for miller flights, heavy flights were not noted until early June and lasted about a month.
In the warm, dry season, nuisance numbers of miller moths along the Front Range occurred over a very extended period—from late April through early July—and were concentrated around irrigated areas due to the drought. Miller moths avoid daylight and seek shelter before day break. Ideally, a daytime shelter is dark and tight. Small cracks in the doorways of homes, garages, and cars make perfect hiding spots. Often moths may be found clustered together in particularly favorable sites.
Since cracks often continue into the living space of a home or a garage, car, etc. Denver, CO Colorado Springs, CO Copyright EnviroPest All rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy Site Map. Get in touch. Once inside, the best way to remove the moths is to swat or vacuum them, or attract them to traps. An easy trap to make is to suspend a light bulb over a bucket partially filled with soapy water. Moths attracted to the light often will fall into the water and be killed. If this is attempted some wetting agent, such as soap or detergent, must be added or many moths will escape. Also, there are obvious dangers when bringing water and electrical equipment in close proximity and great care should be given to the situation.
This includes use of a GFI receptacle for safety. Unfortunately, not much. Insecticides have little or no place in controlling millers because the moths are not very susceptible to insecticides due to the makeup of their waxy body makeup. Also , any moths killed will likely be quickly replaced by new ones migrating into the area nightly.
That said, we may be able to help mitigate the number of moths entering your property by identifying and sealing areas where they might enter. Also, we can provide products for our commercial clients to aid in knock down.
Play Live Radio. Next Up:. Available On Air Stations. All Streams. We are having sporadic service interruptions to our broadcast and stream due to equipment upgrades. Fewer crops destroyed by army cutworms this year in eastern Colorado is one of the reasons why the number of moths is likely to be "average or a bit below average this year.
The moths are expected to be spread out thanks to an abundance of spring moisture this year and the resulting high number of flowering plants. How long the moths stick around depends largely on temperature. While the peak is expected anywhere from early to mid-June, the moths could still be flying around by late June.
Miller moths originate in eastern Colorado and areas of western Kansas and Nebraska. Millions of moths migrate west annually in search of nectar as summer flowers and plants start to emerge. One key reason they head west for summer is that cooler temperatures at higher elevations are less stressful to moths, allowing them to better conserve and store energy. She is an avid adventure seeker and wildflower enthusiast.
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