Order Lepidoptera
Pest description and damage Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths. The size of mature caterpillars is highly variable ranging from tiny (less than 0.1 inch in length) leafminers that tunnel between the surface of plant leaves to large silk moth caterpillars or hornworms that reach 2.5 to 4 inches long. Caterpillars tend to have long cylindrical bodies with a visible head capsule, six true legs on the thorax and a series of five pair or fewer prolegs on the abdominal segments. Most caterpillars have chewing mouthparts (mandibles) that they use to bite, chew and defoliate leaf tissues. These larvae are variable in size, shape, color and hairiness. Some caterpillars are so small that they fit inside the confines of seeds, or "mine" the tissues between the upper and lower leaf surfaces (hence the name "leafminers"). Some caterpillars burrow into wood, roots, or buds. Other caterpillars can be one to three inches long and resemble twigs or branches. Caterpillars may be hairless, while others may have hairs that are thick, bristle-like, soft and silky, or even branched, spiny and stinging.
Biology and life cycle Moths and butterflies have complete metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, pupa (chrysalis, cocoon or lined cell in the soil or wood) and adult. Moths and butterflies may be strong or weak fliers, and some are flightless. Knowing flight ability provides clues on whether these caterpillars will build up quickly in an area.
Pest monitoring Look for caterpillars or their fecal pellets below host plants (use sticky plates hung horizontally below suspected hosts or check leaf surfaces). Some caterpillars make visible webbing trails, tie leaves together or create tents. Pheromones are available to attract male moths to sticky traps.
Management-cultural control
Manage and minimize weeds, grasses, and debris in the vegetable garden that provide cover. Encourage natural enemies of caterpillars like birds and spiders.
Management-biological control
Most caterpillars are eaten by other insect predators or are heavily parasitized by wasps and parasitoid flies. Plant flowering species that provide nectar and pollen to attract these parasitic wasps and flies into the home landscape. Tiny Trichogramma wasps parasitize the eggs. Many small mammals, bats and especially birds feed on moths, larvae, pupae and some eggs. These parasitoids and predators that feed on the caterpillars can be purchased, then released in the home landscape. Additionally, one can manage the landscape in a way that keeps the parasitoid and predators healthy. This may mean tolerating a low number of these pests in your landscape plants.
Management-chemical control:
See Table 2 in: