Identifying Green Cloverworm, Soybean Looper, and Velvetbean Caterpillar

Green cloverworm larvae are pale green with a white stripe along each side (Figure 1). Although these caterpillars move in a manner similar to soybean loopers, they can be distinguished from loopers by the existence of three pairs of abdominal prolegs. Larvae wiggle violently when squeezed, unlike most other caterpillars found in soybean. Green cloverworm adult moths are black and gray with a snout-like mouth.

Soybean looper larvae are light green with several thin white or light-colored stripes running along the length of their body (Figure 2). The body of this caterpillar is largest at the rear and gradually narrows to a smaller head. Loopers have two pairs of abdominal prolegs. Loopers make a characteristic loop or hump when crawling. Soybean looper adult moths have mottled brown forewings with prominent silver markings. Velvetbean caterpillars can be green, brown, or almost black in color. Their head is prominent and may be yellow or orange. A broad light-colored stripe runs down both sides of the body (Figure 3). Caterpillars have four pairs of abdominal prolegs. Like green cloverworms, larvae wiggle violently when disturbed. Adult moths have a dark diagonal line across both sets of wings when fully extended.

Sources: Rice, M. 1999. Watch beans for green cloverworms. I ow a S t a t e Un i v e rs i t y E x t e n s i o n . I C - 4 8 2 ( 2 1 ) . http://www.ipm.iastate.edu. (Verified 7/18/10). Soybean Insect Pests—North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. http://ipm.ncsu.edu. (Verified 7/28/10). Insects and Related Pests of Field Crops. AG-271. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. http://ipm.ncsu.edu. (Verified 7/28/10). Soybean Insect Management—Foliage Feeders. Univ. of Arkansas Cooperative Ext. Service. http://www.aragriculture.org. (Verified 8/3/10).

Green cloverworm, soybean looper, and velvetbean caterpillar are foliage feeding insects that are present in practically all soybean fields throughout the growing season most years. In most cases these pests do not reach thresholds to warrant insecticide treatment. Properly identifying the pest in each field can help determine the appropriate control strategy.

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Figure 1. (Top) Green cloverworm larva with white stripe along body and three pairs of abdominal prolegs (noted with arrows). Clem-son University - USDA Co-operative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org. (Bottom) Green cloverworm adult moth. Natasha Wright, Florida Department of Agriculture and Con-sumer Services, Bug-wood.org.

Figure 2. (Top) Soybean looper larva with white stripe along body and two pairs of abdominal pro-legs (noted with arrows). Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Exten-sion Slide Series, Bug-wood.org. (Bottom) Soy-bean looper adult moth. Russ Ottens, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org.

Figure 3. (Top)Velvetbean caterpillar larva with white stripe along body and four pairs of abdominal pro-legs (noted with ar-rows). Clemson Univer-sity - USDA Coopera-tive Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org. (Bottom) Velvetbean caterpillar adult moth. David Jones, University of Georgia, Bug-wood.org.

Individual results may vary, and performance may vary from location to location and from year to year. This result may not be an indicator of results you may obtain as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible. ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIREC-TIONS. Technology Development by Monsanto and Design(SM) are trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2010 Monsanto Company. 07282010MEA