Insects: Garden Webworm

Taxonomy:

Distribution:

• Widespread

Importance:

• Not a common pest in Nebraska

Identification:

• Moths are buff colored with irregular light and dark gray markings.


• Wingspan is about 3/4 inch.


• Usually found in fields during the day.


• Larvae are pale green or yellow-green with rows of strong, somewhat elongate, black spots on the upper half of the body, and rows of lighter (gray) spots on the lower half of the body (below the spiracles).


• Three dark spots form a triangle on the side of each segment.


• The head is whitish-tan with brown speckles and has a distinctive black spot on each side near the thorax.


• Larvae are often concealed in silk webbing.

Life Cycle:

• This is a multiple generation pest, which may persist until late in the year.

Host Range:

• Larvae feed on a wide variety of low plants, including alfalfa, clover, beans, soybeans, sugar beets, and corn.

Injury & Damage:

• Larvae feed primarily on the underside of leaves, skeletonizing them.


• The also spin webs around leaves and feed within the webbing.

Monitoring:

• Visual counts, Sweep nets, Drops cloths

Management:

• When necessary, insecticide treatments may be used.