Slimy, Dark Green Worm on Kitchen Floor is a Cutworm

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“I found this on my kitchen floor, I need to know what it is”, writes Sandra in her submission regarding the slimy-looking, dark green worm-like creature pictured below. “I live on the coast of North Carolina, 30 minutes from the beach. I recently brought in a large plant from outside. I have a small dog and don’t want her eating something like this. Can you please identify this for me?” Based on the photo Sandra sent us, we would say this most resembles a cutworm. Cutworms are the caterpillars of moth species whose larvae (the caterpillars) dig underground and eat on the stems of plants, thereby cutting them down and earning their name.

Cutworms are not dangerous to humans or pets, only to the gardens one might be cultivating. They specifically like to munch on vegetables, though other plants will also suffice for them – they’re not too picky. Although cutworms typically pupate during fall (the stage in the life cycle that comes after being a caterpillar but before becoming a moth), caterpillars can really be found all year round. The plants just can’t seem to catch a break!

Now, one thing we puzzled over was this orb/glob of green matter, which in the video, looks almost like something oozing out of the caterpillar. Upon consulting ButterflyFunFacts.com’s “web page on poisoned caterpillars“, it seems likely that this cutworm ingested something that would act as a poison in its body, such as an insecticide. Sandra mentions having “recently brought in a large plant from outside”. Whether or not she was the one to spray it with an insecticide, it seems likely that at some point it was, and this is what is causing the caterpillar to react in this way. We understand Sandra’s concern for her dog, and so we recommend that she move the caterpillar outside, somewhere far from her garden if she has one. Likewise, in the case that her dog is prone to licking or chewing on this plant, she might want to reconsider having this plant inside her home.

Video of Cutworm Wriggling About

To conclude, we think that the dark green worm-like creature Sandra found on her floor is a cutworm. It is likely that this cutworm was on the plant she brought in, and that it fell off in the move, but that it did manage to munch on it. Sandra can confirm whether or not this is true by checking the stems on the plant for bite marks, as well as the lower leaves of the plant for the same signs. We hope this helps and we wish Sandra the very best!

 

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Slimy, Dark Green Worm on Kitchen Floor is a Cutworm
Article Name
Slimy, Dark Green Worm on Kitchen Floor is a Cutworm
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"I found this on my kitchen floor, I need to know what it is", writes Sandra in her submission regarding the slimy-looking, dark green worm-like creature pictured below. "I live on the coast of North Carolina, 30 minutes from the beach. I recently brought in a large plant from outside. I have a small dog and don’t want her eating something like this. Can you please identify this for me?" Based on the photo Sandra sent us, we would say this most resembles a cutworm. Cutworms are the caterpillars of moth species whose larvae (the caterpillars) dig underground and eat on the stems of plants, thereby cutting them down and earning their name.
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Author: Worm Researcher Anton

1 thought on “Slimy, Dark Green Worm on Kitchen Floor is a Cutworm

  1. Since ce I came out hospital I have been inundation with brown and white hair, nothing on the shelf s seem to get rid of them, I am really upset most of time. My Gp is not interested what can I do that hasent already been done ie wet coming , dry coming. Medicine
    Please could you help me?

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