By Rincon-Vitova Insectary

Caterpillars (& Moths) 

“Caterpillar” is the common name for the larvae of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). Armyworms and cutworms generally eat seedlings. Bollworms and budworms typically feed on seeds and inside flowers. Hemp Borer and European corn borer are often found inside of stalks, while cabbage moths feed on leaves. The type of Lepidopteran pest doing the damage will determine the approaches that can be taken.  

Identification 

Leaf Feeders: 

Caterpillars have a segmented body: a head, a thorax, and an abdomen.   

Three pairs of jointed legs with hooks and usually five pairs of stumpy prolegs 

Cutworms & Armyworms: 

Similar in appearance to foliage feeders 

Various colors, stripes and mottling 

Borers: 

Larvae are quite small, with a maximum size of about 6-8 mm. 

Younger larvae are cream colored, with a dark brown head. 

 Nearing pupation they become orange or orange-red.  

Budworms: 

Variety of colors with dark stripes along body 

Yellow/green heads, black legs  

Life Cycle 

Leaf Feeders: 

Depending on the species either overwinters as eggs or as pupae in a chrysalis or cocoon. 

The larval stage usually lasts from about two weeks to a month, and is the longest life stage  

Pupates, and emerges later as an adult moth.  

Cutworms & Armyworms: 

Overwinter as pupae or larvae 

Eggs laid on plants, in low spots, or poorly drained land 

Larvae feed for 10-30 days, pupate, and emerge as adult moths. 3-6 generations depending on species 

Borers: 

Stage that survives the winter outdoors is a full-grown larva found within the stems/branches or seed heads of hemp.  

They transform to the pupal state in late winter/early spring and later emerge as the adult moth.  

After mating the females lay eggs on hemp plants.  

Eggs hatch & caterpillar attempts to tunnel into the plant, often entering at junctions of branches.  

Boring larvae move into seed heads in late summer, feeding on developing seeds.  

Budworms: 

1-6 generations per year. 

Overwinter as pupae in the soil in temperate climates (no overwintering in tropical). 

Monitoring: Watch for moths in flight! 

Leaf Feeders: 

Look for feeding holes, excrement, and webbed or rolled leaves. 

Eggs are typically laid on the undersides of leaves. 

Cutworms & Armyworms: 

Seedlings can be completely consumed. 

There is often stem damage at the soil line. 

Plants frequently tilt, wilt, and die. 

Check for pests at night. 

Borers: 

Cause wilting of a bud or small flower stalk that it has tunneled. 

Entry points are often marked with a bit of loose frass (their sawdust-like excrement).  

Caterpillars (& Moths)  

The larvae develop within the stem/branch and the sites of injury typically show a slight swelling.Evidence of parasitism:  parasite cocoons next to caterpillars, darkened caterpillar eggs, or exit holes in dead caterpillars. 

Budworms: 

Eggs are hemispherical with ridges that radiate like wheel spokes 

Loose webs and frass around buds 

Cultural Practices 

Black-light traps – Night-flying moths are attracted to the light and trapped in the funnel-shaped trap below the light. 

Leaf Feeders: 

Pheromone traps for adults (late winter through early summer) synthetic sex attractant that attracts male moths. 

These are best used to identify the species of moths and to time Trichogramma releases. 

Use a degree day calculator to find out when the moths are in flight (consult with local Ag Extension offices for details) 

Cutworms & Armyworms 

Eradicate weeds  

Destroy egg clusters 

Fall plowing. Re-cultivate in spring. Wait 2 weeks to plant (starves the larvae) 

Borers: 

Remove crop debris between growing seasons, which supports overwintering stages. 

Remove volunteer hemp, an alternate host which can sustain the first generation.  

Use a large-bore syringe to inject mineral oil into stalks. Wipe away frass. New frass indicates a need for repeat injection 

Crop rotation with red clover 

Sanitation  

Budworms: 

Deep plowing & weeding very important 

Light Traps for adults 

Shaking plants every 10 days & hand picking all larvae that fall out  

Habitat: Alternate hosts: alfalfa, flax, peas, potatoes, lambsquarters, wild mustard 

 Avoid using pesticides: Neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid) Carbamates (carbaryl), Pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, fluvalinate, and permethrin). These materials are highly toxic to natural enemies and pollinators 

  

Bio-Control 

Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki   

A microbial insecticide that kills only caterpillars; caterpillars must feed on treated leaves to be affected.  

It’s safe to use near bees, beneficial insects, and wildlife.  

Most effective on small caterpillars and breaks down rapidly.  

Treatment timing is critical.       

Repeat weekly while caterpillars are present. 

Application Rates: Application Rates may vary among different commercial products. Read labels carefully. 

½ to 2 lbs per acre or 1-4 teaspoons per gallon or ½ to 2 lbs per 100 gallons of water.  

Reapplication every 10-14 days can prevent ECB infestations (won’t kill borers already inside stalks)                                             

Beauveria bassiana  

68-86 °F >92% RH 

An entomopathenogenic fungus wide host range, including soft-bodied beneficials 

Best for sap-sucking & chewing insects 

Spores germinate on insects – kill in 2-10 days 

Some strains have 3-7 day residual activity 

Weekly applications can prevent insect population explosions  

Direct contact is important 

Fine mist sprayers deliver best results 

Spring/Summer aphids molt every 3-4 days, which may reduce efficacy 

Can be used alone or in a tank mix with Bacillus thuringiensis (vars. kurstaki, aizawai)  

Tank mix provides control of later instars (3rd to 4th) and aids in suppressing resistant populations. 

Application Rates: Application Rates may vary among different commercial products. Read labels carefully. 

½ lb to 2 lbs per 100 gallons of water or ½ to 2 qts per 100 gallons of water or ¼ to 1 teaspoon per 10 sq ft 

Reapply every 3-5 days to ensure spores are on aphids long enough to cause infection  

Tricogramma’ (T. platneri,  T. minutum, T.brassicae): over 200 pest moth species including cutworms, fruit worms, leaf worms, leafrollers, loopers, armyworms, and borers.   

Drill through moth eggs to deposit 1-3 of their own eggs.  

Trichogramma larvae eat out the insides of pest eggs, pupate, and cut an exit hole in moth eggshells for winged adults Their short life cycle (7 to 10 days) allows as many as 30 generations per season, and rapid population increase.  

Early season releases produce large populations positioned to fight pest invasions.  

Application Rates: 1 card per acre per week  

Release when moths are in flight 

Hippodamia convergens  

Ladybugs statistics: adults consume 62 budworm eggs/day  larvae consume 34 eggs per day 

Often leave after released 

Application Rates: 1 beetle per sq ft.  

Reapply if necessary  

Chrysoperla rufilabris

Green Lacewing – generalist, including most caterpillar (worm) pests (armyworms, budworms, bollworms, borers, corn earworms, cabbage loopers, codling moths, etc.), 

Wingless predator for 2-3 weeks 

Will focus on eggs and immature stages, but can catch adults 

Application Rates: 1,000 eggs per 2,500 sq ft or 5,000-10,000 per acre 

Eggs on Cards: hang 1-2 units/bush, 1-5 units tree 

Pre-hatched Larvae: 20/bush, 100/tree 

Reapply every two weeks to suppress populations, monthly for maintenance  

Orius insidiosus 

Minute pirate bug – generalist including small caterpillars, 

Diapause at day lengths < 14 hours 

Supplemental blue light can prevent diapause while having minimal effects on the crop 

Draw in native pops with habitat enhancement: strip of alfalfa, corn, pea, even strawberries provide nutrition  

Application Rates: 1-4 predators per plant, 1-2 per 40 sq ft, or 250-500 per acre 

Reapply 2-4 times, two weeks apart to establish in most crops. 

 

Podisus’ or ‘Spined Soldier Bug’: aggressive, voracious true bugs which kill caterpillars and beetle grubs.  

Attack prey during all larval stages and as adults.  

Can handle much larger prey  

Distribute throughout crop to minimize canabalism 

Takes several months to become established: other biological controls should be used along with Podisus. 

Application Rates: 1 per lightly infested plant, 5-10 per heavily infested plant. 

5 adults per tree, 25 eggs per tree in bioboxes 

Reapplication frequency depends on pest density. Generally 2 times, 2 weeks apart to establish in most crops. 

Steinernema carpocapsae 

Entomopathenogenic nematodes for cutworms 

Application Rates: 

1 milion per 50 sq ft 

Summary of Strategies 

    Early augmentation – plan ahead 

     Pheromone Traps 

Outdoor: 

Sanitation 

Deep plowing 

Crop rotation 

Weed/Alt host removal 

Pheromone traps  

Habitat for beneficials 

Bacillus thurengiensis 

Trichogramma 

Lacewing 

Indoor: 

Sanitation 

Screen Vents 

Extinguish night lights to exclude light-attracted moths 

Weed removal from around house 

Bacillus thurengiensis 

Trichogramma 

Lacewing treatments 

(Podisus, Orius) 

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