Summary:
Cutworm are caterpillars that feed at the base and roots of various crops. Eggs are laid in late spring and the first 3 instar feed on surface vegetation, before burrowing into roots where they cannot be controlled. As adults continue to lay eggs in the crop, several 'batches' of larvae, at different instars, can be present in the crop. This model predicts the number of batches of larvae currently active, based on first appearance of adult moth and larval development.