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Saurav Ranabhat, Duwal, Anjana, Carlton, Christopher E.
Velvetbean caterpillar moths, Anticarsia gemmatalis, are a tropical or subtropical, migratory moth and defoliating pest of soybeans. Caterpillars range in size from 2.5 mm during early growth stages (instars) to 16 mm to 25 mm as they develop. Unusually large specimens may reach 48 mm. Coloration and markings are variable, with colors ranging from pale yellowish green to black. They usually have white or yellow stripes running lengthwise along the body. Color and marking variations are more obvious after the second instar when prominent dark-colored stripes and narrow white, yellow or pink stripes can be seen on the dark green background of the body. They are known for vigorous wiggling and twisting behavior when disturbed or handled.
Adult velvetbean caterpillar moths also vary in color, ranging from light yellowish brown to grey or dark reddish brown. Wingspans range from 30 mm to 38 mm. Wings are mottled with diagonal black lines that form a line across all four wings when partially extended. Hind wings are light brown with a row of light-colored spots near the margin.
Eggs are nearly 2 mm in diameter, oval, with fine furrows lengthwise. They are white when deposited and pink before larvae hatch.
Velvetbean caterpillars may be confused with other moth larvae that infest soybeans, due to similarities in appearance and behavior. Velvetbean caterpillars have four pairs of leglike processes (prolegs) under the abdominal segments. Superficially similar soybean loopers and green cloverworms that possess two and three abdominal prolegs, respectively. Corn earworms can be distinguished from velvetbean caterpillars by the presence of tiny hairlike projections (microspines) on their bodies and alternating stripes running lengthwise down the bodies that are absent in velvetbean caterpillars. Adults are similar to those of striped grass loopers (Mocis latipes), but the latter differ in details of the patterns on the wings. Velvetbean caterpillar is the only member of the genus Anticarsia in the U.S.
Velvetbean caterpillars undergo four life stages (complete metamorphosis); egg, larva, pupa and adult. Female moths lay eggs singly during early evening on the underside of leaves, stems or petioles of host plants. Larvae hatch in about three days during the summer and within a week or more during cooler weather. Newly hatched larvae feed on eggshells initially. They crawl with a looping motion, similar to soybean loopers. Larvae s undergo six growth stages (instars). Duration of first instar is about two days, and durations of the second, third, fourth and fifth instars are three to four days. The final (sixth) instar requires five to 20 days. The development duration and survivorship of larvae on host plant types varies with life stage, population density and food quality.
Larvae transition to the pupal stages in shallow soil or under dried leaves. This stage usually lasts about seven days during summer and eleven days during cooler weather.
Adult moths are capable of flight immediately after emerging from pupae. They can fly long distances in search of host plants. Life cycle durations vary widely, with shorter cycles of about four weeks during warm weather and longer life cycles during cool weather. Cold winter weather stops development until spring. During winter, larvae survive on alternate hosts such as wild cowpeas, mung beans, kidney beans, hyacinth beans, kudzu and hair indigo. The number of generations per year varies based on region and environmental conditions. In Louisiana, the species can complete four to six generations annually.
Velvetbean caterpillar moths are distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere. The species is an annual pest in tropical and subtropical regions of the U.S., including Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Adults migrate northward into the southeastern U.S. from more tropical overwintering areas every. They do not survive the winter in the U.S. except in extreme southern Florida. They are also found in Mexico, Central American and South America as far south as Argentina.
Velvetbean caterpillars are an important defoliating pests of soybeans. Although, they can be found in other hosts, including peanuts, kudzu, velvetbean, horse bean, cotton, coffee weed, alfalfa and others, mostly wild legumes. Initial serious infestations of soybeans were documented by entomologists in Louisiana during the summer of 1929. Larvae start feeding on the tender leaves at the top of the plant and progressively move to the lower older leaves. They gradually eat all the soft materials of the leaf except the veins. Older larva can eat the whole leaf, leaving only the midrib and larger veins. Up to 95% of the total leaves consumed is due to feeding by later instar larvae. Velvet bean caterpillars are capable of seriously reducing yields and productivity of crops if not controlled promptly.
Apart from their pest status, adults and larvae are important food sources for many birds (e.g., red-winged blackbirds, English sparrows and killdeer), bullfrogs, wasps, robber flies, various ground beetles and fire ants. Studies suggest that higher temperatures resulting from anthropogenic climate change may initially suppress populations in soybeans but allow northern expansion into zones not currently occupied, at least on a seasonal basis.
Although velvetbean caterpillars can defoliate soybean plants quickly, adopting good pest management practices can suppress populations and mitigate yield loss from defoliation. Several strategies are involved and are similar to those used for a variety of defoliating caterpillars.
Monitoring. Regular scouting and monitoring should be done during early stages of plant growth to determine if the population is large enough to consider control. Sweep net sampling is a standard method to sample larval populations. Adults can be monitored using pheromone-baited bucket traps. The LSU AgCenter suggests control when the population of caterpillars reaches eight per row foot or 300 in 100 sweeps. Regular monitoring for defoliation is also important.
Biological control. Several predators, parasitoids, and pathogens may serve as effective natural controls that suppress velvetbean caterpillar populations. In addition to the predators mentioned a few parasitoids have been identified attacking larvae. These include the braconid wasp Meteorus autographae and the tachinid fly Winthemia rufopicta. Studies also suggest that pathogens such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) can be effective against the species.
Cultural practices. Early planting of early maturing varieties with wide row spacing can help reduce the size of populations of velvetbean caterpillars. Trap crops such as early maturing soybean varieties can be used to attract and control them. Tillage practices, flooding and alteration of plot sizes do not appear to have significant effects.
Host plant resistance. Some insect-resistant soybean genotypes show resistance to velvetbean caterpillars. They can slow early growth rates and development of larvae but do not reduce consumption, weight gain, or late instar growth.
Chemical control. The use of chemical insecticides, primarily pyrethroids, is the most common and effective way of controlling velvetbean caterpillars once their populations reach economic thresholds. Recommended insecticides can be found in the Insect Pest Management Guide published by LSU AgCenter every year. Foliar application is suggested at or shortly after bloom. Care should be taken while selecting insecticide types, spraying methods and timing for better results and label directions must be followed exactly.
Velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) larva. Photo by Steve L. Brown, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) larva on soybean leaves. Photo by John C. French Sr., Bugwood.org
Velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis) moth adult. Photo by Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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4/28/26
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