Home and Landscape

Variegated Cutworm

  • Peridroma saucia
Updated: 04/2026

Phenology models predict timing of events in an organism's development. For many organisms which cannot internally regulate their own temperature, development is dependent on temperatures to which they are exposed in the environment.

Information in this database comes from published articles. It may be used in conjunction with field monitoring and a degree-day calculator.

Note: Before using a model that was not field tested in your location, you should test the model for one or more seasons under your conditions to verify that it will work for you.

Model 1

Simonet, D. E., S. L. Clement, W. L. Rubink and R. W. Rings. 1981. Temperature requirements for development and oviposition of Peridroma saucia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Can. Ent. 113: 891-897.

  • Location of study: Wooster, Ohio (laboratory and field studies)
  • Lower developmental threshold: 45.0°F ( 7.2°C)
  • Upper developmental threshold: 80.1°F (26.7°C)
  • Method of calculation: not specified (UC IPM recommends Single Sine)
  • Cutoff method: not specified (UC IPM recommends Horizontal)

Degree-day accumulations required for each stage of development

Host: Pinto bean medium

  • Eggs: 131.9 (°F) 73.3 (°C)
  • Larvae: 652.1 (°F) 362.3 (°C)
  • Pupae: 432.2 (°F) 240.1 (°C)
  • Generation time (egg to adult): 1216.4 (°F) 675.8 (°C)
  • Pre-egglaying adults: 170.1 (°F) 94.5 (°C)
  • Generation time (egg to egg): 1386.5 (°F) 770.3 (°C)

Field studies

  • First adult flight: 900.0 (°F) 500.0 (°C)
  • Second adult flight: 2160.0 (°F) 1200.0 (°C)
  • Generation time (adult to adult): 1260.0 (°F) 700.0 (°C)
Adult moths on black background showing the different patterns and colors of the species, 1/3X; 70o . Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM. Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM
Adults of (left top to bottom) variegated cutworm, beet armyworm, cabbage lopper, (right top to bottom) tomato fruitworm (=corn earworm, cotton bollworm), tobacco budworm, western yellowstriped armyworm. Credit: Jack Kelly Clark, UC IPM