The Army Cutworm Moth is about one inch in length. The forewings are ornately colored chocolate brown and rust with chalky white markings. The hindwings are tan with darker brown veins. The caterpillar grows up to 1.75 inches long. The head is grayish brown with darker brown spots. The body is gray with a tan dorsal stripe and darker brown lateral stripes. It curls up in a tight “C” when disturbed. This moth was identified with the help of volunteer experts at the BugGuide website.
The frequency of occurrence at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods is not known. It has been photographed at Camp Brewster in late April. It is more of a western species and can be abundant in the Rocky Mountains.
Another common name for this moth is the Common Miller Moth. The larval food plants are wheat and alfalfa and other field crops. The larva overwinters in soil and can become active in winter when temperatures are above freezing. This moth is a critical food source for Grizzly bears in the Rocky Mountains where millions of them emerge at once. It is estimated that a single bear will eat 20,000 to 30,000 moths a day (“Owlet Caterpillars of Eastern North America,” Wagner, Schweitzer, Sullivan & Reardon).
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