Variegated Cutworm vs Golden Tachinid Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variegated Cutworm | Golden Tachinid Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Peridroma saucia | Archytas marmoratus |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Noctuidae | Tachinidae |
| Size | 40-55 mm wingspan | 10-14 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Worldwide | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Variegated Cutworm
A mottled brown moth whose plump soil-dwelling caterpillars cut through stems of seedlings at ground level. It attacks a very wide range of vegetables and field crops.
Did You Know?
A single caterpillar can cut down several seedlings in one night, often felling far more plants than it actually eats.
Golden Tachinid Fly
A large bristly parasitic fly with golden-brown hairs found across the Americas. It parasitizes armyworm and cutworm caterpillars in crops.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most important natural enemies of fall armyworm in North American agriculture.