The Black Army Cutworm is a defoliator that attacks all conifer tree seedlings, but most commonly attacks white spruce and lodgepole pine. It likes to climb, and it feeds on the foliage of young herbs and shrubs. For example fireweed is one of their preferred plants, however they will defoiliate young tree seedlings if there are not enough of their preferred host plants available.
The latin name for the Black Army Cutworm is Actebia fennica.
In the fall the adult moth is drawn to recently burned areas where they lay their eggs. In the spring the larvae emerge and begin to feed. Severe defoliation from the cutworm results in high seedling mortality in a new plantation. North 53 39.082 West 122 57.916
For more information on the black army cutworm a handy field reference guide can be found here:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/forest-health/forest-health-docs/field_guide_to_forest_damage_in_bc_web.pdf
All hides for this Spruce Geo Art Series are camoed pill bottles or bison tubes. Each container contains a logsheet sealed in a tiny zip lock bag. Please bring your own pencil. This cache is not hidden at the posted coordinates, however all the information you need is on this cache page.
Photo Credit: black army cutworm image from the Field Guide to Forest Damage in British Columbia Joint Report No. 17 - Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Forest Service - Pacific Forestry Center- Figure 42 page 36.
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