Page 621 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION Mostly in southern United States, dispersing north to Canada
annually; widely in the Caribbean; sporadically in Central
America and South America
HABITAT Disturbed agricultural habitats
HOST PLANTS Many, including tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), beggarweed
(Desmodium spp.), Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica);
lupine (Lupinus spp.), sun ower (Helianthus spp.), and Velvetleaf

(Abutilon theophrasti)
NOTE Caterpillar that is a pest of many crops
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1⅛–1⅜ in (28–35 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1–1 ⁄ in (25–36 mm)
HELIOTHIS VIRESCENS
TOBACCO BUDWORM 619

(FABRICIUS, 1777)

Tobacco Budworm caterpillars hatch from spherical eggs laid on
blossoms, fruit, and fresh growth, developing rapidly through
all instars in as few as 17 days. The larvae are ferocious eaters
and can even cannibalize each other. Young larvae bore into
buds and blossoms, but, when the latter are consumed, caterpillars
will move onto leaves. There are up to seven instars, although

most commonly ve or six. Pupation occurs in the soil, but the
pupa survives the winter generally only in southern United States,
or in greenhouses and other sheltered locations. Eclosing adults
may disperse north to New England and even southern Canada
by late summer.

The species derives its common name from its tobacco host
plant, but it is also an important pest of many other species,
from Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to Soybean (Glycine max).
Natural enemies include spiders, birds, and wasp parasitoids in
the genera Trichogramma, Cardiochiles, Cotesia, and Microplitis.
These can be used to control the larvae and have been The Tobacco Budworm caterpillar is variable
the object of numerous research projects related to integrated in ground color from pale yellowish green to
pest management, providing an environmentally friendly dark brown or shades in between. The cryptic
coloration is assisted by many narrow, white
alternative to pesticides. stripes dorsally and one pronounced, broad,
subspiracular band. Other banding may be
narrow or incomplete. The head color varies
from orange to brown or green, the legs are
dark brown, and the prolegs and ventral surface
are dark to translucent green. Numerous black,
thornlike spines originate from sclerotized
Actual size black bases and are relatively short.