Field Identification
A looper caterpillar—not a true geometrid—that rasps soybean, cotton, tomato, and many other leaves, leaving ragged windows and holes. Named for the arched inching gait from reduced prolegs.
Green with light stripes along the body; pair of white-tipped thoracic legs visible; adult is a brown noctuid moth with a silvery Y on each forewing. Several generations in warm climates.
How to Deal With It
Organic Control Methods
Bt kurstaki on small loopers; spinosad for larger stages—good canopy penetration matters in soybeans.
Parasitic wasps and tachinids; fungal pathogens during humid spells.
Diverse rotations; avoid consecutive susceptible hosts; support beneficials with border plantings.
Row covers on high-value vegetables before canopy closure.
UV or blacklight monitoring; threshold-based scouting in legumes.
Let Nature Handle It
Natural Enemies
- Braconid wasps
- Tachinid flies
- Entomopathogenic fungi
Threat Map