Cutworms usually down the whole plant. I would say birds or snails/slugs.

If it's slugs, will sunny, warm to hot weather curb them? The damage appeared during and after an extended cool, wet period last week.

No they come out at night. You can go out at night with a flashlight to see if you find them.

For birds I place clear plastic forks prongs up throughout the garden and usually that's enough to keep them away.

They are hard to see so it's not too tacky. Usually they are there for worms and our plants are collateral damage.

How many forks do I need? I'll try it. How far apart or how many per lineal ft or square foot?

I'm also going to replant to fill in the areas where plants were killed. Being pole beans, with a long season, I doubt I'll notice the two week age difference a couple months from now.

Or you can just toss bird netting or Reemay insect barrier row cover over them so the birds can't get to them. Of course that won't stop any of the common varmints that do damage like that. Things like like mice, gophers, rats, voles, etc.

Dave

The key is finding out what caused the damage and take a plan of action. Have any more of the beans been attacked? The bird netting mentioned would be more effective than forks, but I take as minimal action as necessary. I place them 4 to 6 inches apart along a row. For me it did not take much and it was only done in direct seeded plants and after they get well past the seedling stage and less bare ground available the birds don't bother. I think because they have better resources available than to further bother my garden.