Veggie Plants Cut Off at Root Line

Question

I have many plants – lettuce, squash, pakchoy, chard, etc. – in my cold frame greenhouse being chewed off right at the root line. All of a sudden the plant wilts and when you touch it, you find it has been cut off from its roots and is dying. I checked your site and it looks like it could be root maggots perhaps. However, it is a clean cut and no identifiable bugs. Sometimes it seems like there may be many tiny tiny bugs at the root line. Can you help?

Answer 1

This damage is caused by cutworm. This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/get-rid-cutworms.htm