Photo by Mark Dreiling

Common Name(s): Garden Webworm

Pest Location

Description

Photo by Jeff Trahan

Adult: forewing orange, brown, or grayish-brown in varying shades; AM and PM lines diffuse, slightly darker than ground color of wing; PM line jagged and edged with color; orbicular and reniform spots usually present. Hindwing similar to forewing but lighter; median line present in costal half; at rest, holds wings together close to body. Forewing length 9-10 mm, Wingspan 17-23 mm

Larva: head yellowish-brown; body yellowish, pale green, or dark greenish with light stripe down back; three dark spots form a triangle on side of each abdominal segment. Larva to 24 mm

Origin and Distribution

Northeast and southern Canada, south to Florida and California

Habitat & Hosts

Fields, gardens; adults may be attracted to light. Larvae feed on leaves of alfalfa, beans, clover, corn, cotton, peas, strawberries, and many other low plants.

Life Cycle

Two to four or more generations per year in the south; fewer in the north.

Related Publications

https://bugguide.net/node/view/37527/tree/all

Citations

Capps, H. W. 1967. Review of some species of Loxostege Hübner and descriptions of new species (Lepidoptera, Pyraustidae, Pyrausinae). Proc. USNM 120(3561): 47

Covell Jr., C. V. 1984. A field guide to the moths of eastern North America. p.398, pl.56(23)

Munroe, E. 1976. Moths of America North of Mexico. Fascicle 13.2a, p.47, pl.3.20-25

Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. University of California Press. p.174, pl.22.36

Bugwood Images