Bug FAQWestern Bean Cutworm Moth
Striacosta albicosta · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Source: Wikipedia
The western bean cutworm is a moth with a wingspan of about 40 mm and is the only species in its genus. It is native to the western United States but has spread eastward to several Midwestern states since 2000. Adults fly in July and August, and the larvae feed on beans and corn, where they are considered a crop pest.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
It belongs to the Noctuidae family and is the sole member of the genus Striacosta.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The moth’s wingspan is roughly 40 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
The larvae are considered a pest of beans and corn.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
Larvae eat a wide range of plants, especially beans and corn.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from July to August, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The flight period is July through August.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is endemic to the western United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It is the only species in its genus, so there are no close look-alikes within Striacosta.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 26 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Arizona, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Michigan, Colorado, Vermont, Idaho, Pennsylvania.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What crops does the western bean cutworm damage?
Its larvae feed on beans and corn, causing damage to those crops.
Source: Wikipedia
When are adult western bean cutworms active?
Adults fly during July and August, varying by region.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_bean_cutworm
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.