Species Insects & ArthropodsArmy Cutworm Moth

Army Cutworm Moth

Euxoa auxiliaris

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Army Cutworm Moth (Euxoa auxiliaris)

The Army Cutworm Moth has a larva that is a major crop pest on Great Plains grain crops. Adults make a remarkable migration to high alpine talus fields of the Rocky Mountains where they estivate over summer, gorging on wildflower nectar and accumulating fat. Grizzly bears are well known to excavate these talus slopes to consume large quantities of the fat-rich moths.

Habitat
Alpine meadows in summer; grasslands in fall and spring
Diet
Larvae: roots and stems of crops and grasses. Adults: nectar
How common
Common

Best time to see a Army Cutworm Moth

The best time to see a Army Cutworm Moth is April–June, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,524 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Army Cutworm Moth? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Army Cutworm Moth sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Army Cutworm Moth? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Army Cutworm Moth is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love insects & arthropods? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More insects & arthropods

Arrowhead Blue
Arrowhead Blue
Glaucopsyche piasus
Arrowhead Spiketail
Arrowhead Spiketail
Cordulegaster obliqua
Ashen Pinion Moth
Ashen Pinion Moth
Lithophane antennata
Asian Lady Beetle
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Aedes albopictus
Atala Butterfly
Atala Butterfly
Eumaeus atala
Atlantis Fritillary
Atlantis Fritillary
Speyeria atlantis
Autumn Meadowhawk
Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum