Article on Cutworms........

The following article appeared in the Des Moines Register on Saturday, June
9th regarding 'Cutworms attacking hostas'.

   Cutworms attack hostas
      By h*@news.dmreg.com%3FSubject=Online:%20Cutworms%20attack%20hostas
      Register Staff Writer
      06/09/2001                                                             
                                   Tiny cutworms are devouring Iowa
hostas."I've dubbed it    The Great Cutworm Outbreak of 2001," said Donald
Lewis, Iowa State University entomology professor. He has heard from the
general public as well as garden club friends. Variegated cutworms slip into
hosta beds at night, chewing irregular holes at leaf edges or oblong holes
between veins. Gardeners have two methods of recourse. Because the worms feed
at night, Lewis said, "One alternative is to strap a flashlight to the top of
your head and, with one hand, turn over the foliage. With the other hand,
pick up the cutworms with your fingers and discard them."The other plan is to
ask a garden center for a residual insecticide. Untreated, the worms will
wolf down plants for several more weeks. They like light-colored, thin-leafed
hostas and will also dine on tender plants such as petunias, pulmonaria and
some vegetables. When the cutworms reach a length of 1½ inches they'll be
sated and cease their rampage."Unfortunately, the plants look shredded for
the rest of the summer," Lewis said.

                                               JOYCE M. FLIES

PANTHEON HOSTA GARDENS
"The Friendship Plant'
DALLAS CENTER, IOWA   50063











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