Camouflaged brown cutworm moth

Found throughout most of Australia, the adult moth of the brown cutworm is brown and grey with variable pattern. There is usually a silvery grey elongated oval on the forewings. It is similar in appearance to the bogong moth which is a more even brown colour. The caterpillars start off pale and darken as they develop becoming dark brown before they pupate in the soil. Caterpillars with a pink tinge are known as pink cutworm.


The brown cutworm caterpillar feeds on a variety of plants. It is a pest of agricultural crops such as cereals, tobacco, cotton, maize and sweet corn. The caterpillar feeds at night and shelters during the day in the soil at the base of the food plant.

4 cm wingspan.