| 1402128 |
cabbage looper |
Trichoplusia ni |
Loopers are pale green, about one inch long when full grown, and taper slightly toward the head. There is a thin, white line along each side of the body and two others along the middle of the back. Larvae are characterized by the presence of three pairs of fleshy prolegs (in addition to three pairs of jointed legs behind the head) and their habit of moving in a "looping" motion. They generally feed on the undersides of leaves, leaving small to moderate size ragged holes. Larvae also spin silken cocoons on the undersides of leaves in which they pupate. |
| 1440107 |
yellowstriped armyworm |
Spodoptera ornithogalli |
The yellowstriped armyworm, is an occasional pest of tobacco. Full-grown larvae are about one inch long. They are predominately glossy black to gray with several pairs of triangular spots on the upper side of the body. A prominent longitudinal yellow stripe runs along each side. A distinct black spot can be seen immediately behind the third pair of legs. Yellowstriped armyworms chew roughly rounded holes in tobacco leaves. Economic infestations are rare in tobacco fields. The insect may occasionally be found feeding in tobacco beds. |
| 1440110 |
cabbage looper |
Trichoplusia ni |
The cabbage looper is a light green caterpillar with a thin white line along each side of the body. Two additional lines run along the midline of the back. Cabbage loopers have three pair of slender legs just behind the head and three pairs of fleshly legs near the rear end. The body tapers noticeably toward the head. An absence of legs in the mid-portion of the body results in the larvae moving with a "looping" motion. Cabbage loopers feed for two to four weeks, usually on the lower portion of the plant. |
| 1402126 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
Tobacco and tomato hornworms [Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), Manduca quinquemaculata (Hawthorn)]: These two species, usually referred to collectively as "hornworms," are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. Newly hatched larvae are ¼ inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 3 or 4 inches) are bright green in color. Tobacco hornworm larvae have seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. Tomato hornworms have eight white V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. Small larvae chew small irregular holes in leaves. Larger larvae more often feed on leaf margins and may leave only the midribs of leaves. |
| 1402124 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
Tobacco budworm and corn earworm [Heliothis virescent (Fabricius), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]: Both species attack tobacco, but the budworm is predominant. Larvae of both species are closely related, similar in appearance, and cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. When fully developed, larvae can range from pale greenish-yellow to red-brown to nearly black. Most have pale striped running lengthwise on the body, and small dark spots may be visible on each body segment. All have five pairs of fleshly prolegs in addition to three pairs of jointed legs near the head. The primary distinguishing feature of these pests is their habit of feeding in the bud. As this damage expands with the leaf, large regular holes are produced. Both species may also top plants, tunnel into stalks or midribs of leaves, or feed on seed pods. After topping, they may produce more irregular holes in expanded leaves. |
| 1402125 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
Tobacco budworm and corn earworm [Heliothis virescent (Fabricius), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)]: Both species attack tobacco, but the budworm is predominant. Larvae of both species are closely related, similar in appearance, and cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. When fully developed, larvae can range from pale greenish-yellow to red-brown to nearly black. Most have pale striped running lengthwise on the body, and small dark spots may be visible on each body segment. All have five pairs of fleshly prolegs in addition to three pairs of jointed legs near the head. The primary distinguishing feature of these pests is their habit of feeding in the bud. As this damage expands with the leaf, large regular holes are produced. Both species may also top plants, tunnel into stalks or midribs of leaves, or feed on seed pods. After topping, they may produce more irregular holes in expanded leaves. |
| 1440112 |
tobacco budworm |
Heliothis virescens |
The tobacco budworm is one of the most destructive pests of the tobacco. Eggs, laid by the adult moth on the tobacco leaves, hatch and eventually develop into 1 1/2-inch long larvae when full grown. The larvae are light to dark green and have several longitudinal pale stripes. They may chew small holes in the leaves before they reach the buds. Larvae then damage the bud or growing tip of the plant. They may appear any time during the growing season. The leaves that expand from the buds are often ragged and distorted. Because of their protected location on the plant, budworms are difficult to control. The corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), also attacks burley and is closely related to the budworm in appearance and feeding habits. |
| 1440106 |
variegated cutworm |
Peridroma saucia |
The variegated cutworm, may be a serious problem during the mid- portion of the growing season. This climbing cutworm usually feeds in the buds and on the leaves of tobacco plants. Larvae vary widely in color. The posterior segment is enlarged and blunt. A row of whitish or yellowish dots is visible down the middle of the back. The full grown larva usually has a mark on the back of the eighth abdominal segment, followed by a conspicuous yellow or orange area. There is usually a narrow orange-brown stripe on the sides. The variegated cutworm passes the winter in the pupal stage. |
| 1402110 |
cutworms, loopers, owlet moths, and underwings |
|
Cutworms [various species including black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel); granulate, Feltia subterranean (Fabricius); and variegated Peridroma saucia (Hubner)]: In plant beds, cutworms may feed on stems at the soil surface, cut off buds, or eat holes in leaves. In recently transplanted fields, plants may be cut off just above ground level and individual leaves or buds may be cut off. A few species eat holes in the leaves. If cutworms are suspected as a cause of damage, dig around damaged plants (cutworms usually hide beneath soil, detached leaves or debris during the day). Cutworms are generally soft-bodied, dirty gray to brown to black, variously marked with dark spots or lines and usually 1-2 inches long. They curl up when disturbed. |
| 1440117 |
tobacco hornworm |
Manduca sexta |
The tobacco tomato hornworms, Manduca sexta (Linnaeus), and Manduca quinquemaculata (Haworth), are potentially the most destructive insect pests of tobacco. They chew irregular holes in leaves and often feed along leaf margins. Newly hatched larvae are 1/4-inch long, pale green with a large horn at the posterior end. Larger larvae (up to 4 inches) are bright green in color. The tobacco hornworm larva has seven white diagonal stripes on each side and a curved red horn. The adult, a dark gray moth, has six round, orange-yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Tomato hornworms have eight V-shaped marks on each side and the horn is straighter and blue-black. |
| 1440124 |
stalk borer |
Papaipema nebris |
The stalk borer is recognized by prominent longitudinal white stripes at the head and posterior ends of the body. The stripes are interrupted by a distinct dark purple "saddle" approximately 1/3 of the distance back from the head. Full- grown larvae are about 1 to 1 1/2 inches long. Stalk borers may be found feeding on foliage or boring into the stalk of tobacco plants, usually during late June to early July. Infestations are more likely to occur along weedy field margins. |
| 1440105 |
variegated cutworm |
Peridroma saucia |
The variegated cutworm, may be a serious problem during the mid- portion of the growing season. This climbing cutworm usually feeds in the buds and on the leaves of tobacco plants. Larvae vary widely in color. The posterior segment is enlarged and blunt. A row of whitish or yellowish dots is visible down the middle of the back. The full grown larva usually has a mark on the back of the eighth abdominal segment, followed by a conspicuous yellow or orange area. There is usually a narrow orange-brown stripe on the sides. The variegated cutworm passes the winter in the pupal stage. |
