Caterpillars
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Caterpillars (various species), including yellow-striped armyworm and corn earworm, can damage foliage and/or fruit, depending on the species and type of vegetable grown. Caterpillars feed with chewing mouthparts, thus, holes in leaves and fruit are signs of possible activity. Adults are moths, which do not damage plants.
Yellow-striped armyworm in tomato fruit.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Use screens over ventilation windows to prevent moth entry.
- Avoid placing security lights, which can attract moths at night, near structure entrances or windows.
- Sprays using Bacillus thuringiensis to control caterpillars are compatible with biological control methods.
