Cutworm

Fat gray or brown caterpillars that curl into a C when disturbed. They hide in the soil during the day and cut young seedlings off at the base overnight.

• Seedlings snapped off cleanly at soil level, often lying next to the stem.
• Curled gray-brown caterpillars just under the soil surface near damaged plants.

• Put collars — toilet paper tubes, foil, or cardboard — around each transplant, pushed 1 inch into the soil.
• Clear weeds and plant debris where cutworms overwinter.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around stems.