Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1251864

Army Cutworm
Euxoa auxiliaris

Observation date: June 06, 2020
Date notes: Found indoors, dead of natural causes. A small number of these have been seen in the house during the past few weeks. What is the source? Are they innocuous, or will they do damage? What do we do about them? Big thanks.
Submitted by: ntiviv
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Found indoors, dead of natural causes. A small number of these have been seen in the house during the past few weeks. What is the source? Are they innocuous, or will they do damage? What do we do about them? Big thanks.
Status: Resident
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: June 07, 2020
Coordinator notes: I’m guessing you’re new to Colorado, eh? This is the adult form of the Army Cutworm, popularly known as the “miller moth.” Every year they migrate from the Great Plains up into the Rocky Mountains, passing through the Front Range along the way. This year’s migration is particularly large. They often find their way into houses, but they cause no harm. The adults only eat flower nectar, and the caterpillars only eat certain host plants. If they get into your house, you can either return them to the wild or just kill them, whichever you prefer. Thanks for submitting your sighting!
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, Boulder County