Host Plants of Western Bean Cutworm

The western bean cutworm, Loxagrotis albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is native to the western United States. It was first recognized as a pest of beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L. and corn, Zea mays L., in Colorado and Idaho, and later farther northward and eastward. Early workers found larvae feeding on fruits of nightshade, ground cherry, and tomato, and speculated that these may have been the original hosts. By feeding larvae on these plants and close relatives of beans and corn, we found beans and corn to be the most suitable hosts, and some close relatives of beans to be suitable hosts. Ground cherry, black nightshade, tomato, soybeans, and teosinte were not suitable hosts. Corn and beans are probably the original hosts, since they are native to the area.