Cabbage Worm Complex

INSECT EGG LARVA PUPA ADULT NUMBER OF GENERATIONS DAMAGE
Cabbage looper Round greenish-white eggs laid singly on leaf surfaces. Greenish tapering body with a thin white line along each side of body, and 1-1/2" long when full grown. Has 6 pairs of legs and moves in a looping fashion. *Brownish cocoon attached to leaf with white threads; 3/4" long. Moths migrate into N.C. in May. Grayish-brown, 1-1/2" long, mottled front wings with silvery spot near middle of each. Nocturnal. Lays 275-300 eggs. 3 or more Leaves riddled with large holes of irregular shape and size. May stunt head.
Imported cabbageworm Bullet-shaped, deep yellow, with ridges running both lengthwise and crosswise and laid singly on leaves. Velvety green with slender orange strip down middle of back and along each side; 1-1/4" long when full grown. Has 8 pairs of legs and a slow and even movement. *Naked, tan chrysalid with sharp angular projections. Usually suspended from plant or object by tail end and encircled by single loop of silk (girdle-like). White with 3 or 4 black spots on wings. Seen flying around plants during the day and may lay several hundred eggs. 3 or 4 Leaves riddled with large holes of irregular shape and size. May stunt head.
Diamond-back moth Minute, yellowish-white eggs glued to leaves. Either 1, 2 or 3 in a place. Pale yellowish-green with fine scattered erect black hairs over body and 1/3" long when full grown. Has 8 pairs of legs and is very active when disturbed. Gauzy sack, loosely spun, 3/8" long and fastened to underside of leaf. *Small grayish moths, 1/3" long. Hind wings have a fringe of hair. Male has 3 diamond-shaped spots on its back which appear when wings are folded. Many Many small holes eaten in underside of lower leaves (shot-hole effect). May disfigure buds of young plants.
*passes winter

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