Cut worms (Agrotis ipsilon)

Symptoms

• The larvae of this insect are seen in nursery beds and newly transplanted garlic fields.
• The tender plants are found cut at ground level during the night.
• Young larvae feed gregariously on foliage but later segregate and enter into soil.
• They cut the seedlings at ground level during night and hide during day.

Management

• Check for hideouts as the attack is seen in night hours.
• Spray Neem seed kernel extract (50 gram/litre of water).