Black Cutworm/Greasy Cutworm
Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel)

Mature larvae are pale gray to black caterpillars up to 40 mm long. Their skin has shiny granules and a generally greasy appearance. Larvae have a pale brown head with black markings. Adults are dull-red to brownish-gray moths. Larvae cut plants off at or below ground level or tunnel in stems. Host plants: corn, sugarbeets, potatoes, beans, grasses, alfalfa.