Question about cutworm - Page 2

gorbelly · August 17, 2016

A caterpillar would not leave chew marks like that.

There are some diseases that can end up looking a lot like chewing.

But to me, that looks like classic rodent damage. Voles are notorious not only for damaging roots but also for chewing plant crowns and stems both at and right below the soil line and toppling the plants or damaging vascular tissue at the plant's base so badly that the plant wilts and dies.

Rats and mice can chew plants as well.

And practically all environments have small rodents.

Hellmanns · August 17, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by gorbelly

A caterpillar would not leave chew marks like that.

There are some diseases that can end up looking a lot like chewing.

But to me, that looks like classic rodent damage. Voles are notorious not only for damaging roots but also for chewing plant crowns and stems both at and right below the soil line and toppling the plants or damaging vascular tissue at the plant's base so badly that the plant wilts and dies.

Rats and mice can chew plants as well.

And practically all environments have small rodents.

I concur! Rodent damage for sure.

August 17, 2016	#16
gorbelly Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Posts: 1,069	A caterpillar would not leave chew marks like that. There are some diseases that can end up looking a lot like chewing. But to me, that looks like classic rodent damage. Voles are notorious not only for damaging roots but also for chewing plant crowns and stems both at and right below the soil line and toppling the plants or damaging vascular tissue at the plant's base so badly that the plant wilts and dies. Rats and mice can chew plants as well. And practically all environments have small rodents.