Cabbage Looper

Description:

The cabbage looper moth has a wingspan of about 38 mm. Near the center of each brownish-gray forewing is a silver figure-eight design; the lighter colored hind wings have dark margins. This green larva has three pairs of prolegs and several white stripes which run the length of the body. It moves in a characteristic "looping" motion.

Habitat:

Native to North America, the cabbage looper is common from southern Canada into Mexico. In the U.S., this caterpillar is primarily a problem in the South. cabbage and related plants, cotton, potato, spinach, lettuce, celery, parsley, tomato, and soybean. Collards and cotton are preferred over broccoli, cauliflower, or cabbage for oviposition.

Notes:

It is somewhat erratic in occurrence, typically very abundant one year, and then scarce for two to three years. This is likely due to a nuclear polyhedrosis virus.