From Bugwoodwiki

cabbage webworm Photo by Alton N. Sparks, Jr., University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Hexapoda (including Insecta) Order: Lepidoptera Family: Crambidae Genus: Hellula Species: rogatalis Scientific Name Hellula rogatalis (Hulst)

Author: Dr. Phillip Roberts, Dr. Paul Guillebeau, University of Georgia

Contents 1 Description 1.1 Adult 1.2 Larvae 2 Hosts 3 Damage 4 Life Cycle 5 Control 6 Originally compiled from

Order Lepidoptera: Family Crambidae

Description

Adult

Wingspan around ½ inch. Brown-yellow forewings mottled with darker brown; hind wings pale gray. Short erratic flights when disturbed

Larvae

First instar less than 1/8 inch, yellow-gray with a wide, dark head. Larger larvae yellow-gray with five dark longitudinal stripes. Black head has 'V' shaped mark. Larvae reach 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

Hosts

Most crucifers and related weeds, including cabbage, turnip, beet, collard, cauliflower, kale, rutabaga, radish, kohlrabi, mustard, rape, horseradish, shepherds purse, and purslane.

Damage

Typically damage only late summer or fall crops. Larvae bore into buds, stems, and stalks, which disfigures or kills plants. Feeding on outer leaves is not usually economically important. Feed during the day under silken webs.

Life Cycle

Life cycle information is incomplete. Related species overwinter in soil as pupae or larvae in silk-lined cells. Moths lay up to 350 eggs on host plant buds. Eggs hatch in 3 days. Larvae feed in buds, later moving to outer leaves and spinning webs. Pupate in leaf debris.

Control

Typically unnecessary on spring crops. Usually a minor pest in the late-summer and fall. When pesticides are necessary, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and Bacillus thuringiensis are used.

Originally compiled from

• Roberts, P. and P. Guillebeau. Cabbage (Garden) Webworm. University of Georgia.