Poppy Pest That Cuts Off Buds

Question

My poppy plant had 12 or 13 buds on the point of blooming. Overnight 6 of their stems have been cut nearly through so that the buds are hanging from a thread. Could this be cutworms? What do they get out of it? They don’t seem to be eating any part of it. How can I control them, preferably without poison?

Answer 1

It certainly sounds like cutworms and this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/get-rid-cutworms.htm