Description: Larvae are light to dark green with light longitudinal stripes and two pair of abdominal prolegs. The body is thick and tapers toward the head. Frequently, soybean looper larvae will have black legs and/or markings on the head and body; however, some soybean looper larvae may have no black markings. Cabbage looper larvae are similar in appearance to soybean looper but will never have black markings. Examination of the inner surface of the mandibles with a microscope can be used to verify species. Larvae of both species may reach a length of 35 mm. Soybean looper moths have forewings which are mottled with a bronze to golden sheen and prominent silver markings near the center; hind wings are dusky-brown. Forewings of the cabbage looper adult are grayish to dark brown with a silvery spot near the center; hindwings are pale brown.

Hosts: Soybean, sweet potato, peanut, cotton, tomato, crucifers, peas, tobacco, cocklebur, and others. Members from 28 plant families are recognized as hosts.

Damage: Larval feeding on foliage is initiated on the interior lower portion of plants. As defoliation proceeds, larvae move towards the tops of plants. Early instars feed on the lower leaf surfaces. Older larvae consume irregular areas of leaves, characteristically leaving the larger leaf veins. About 90 percent of total defoliation occurs during the last two larval instars.

Life Cycle: Soybean loopers are known to overwinter in southern Florida and Texas, with reproduction occurring throughout the year in these locations. Annual immigrations probably arise from Central and South America. Soybean loopers generally arrive in Georgia in June. Cabbage loopers overwinter in the pupal stage in southern states and also migrate northward. Two to three generations of each species occurs each year depending on climate. Eggs are laid singly on the undersides of leaves. Larvae feed for two to three weeks and then pupate. Soybean loopers pupate in silk-like cocoons attached to the underside of leaves of their host plant. Pupae of cabbage looper are not attached to leaves; pupation occurs in litter or the soil. Availability of cotton nectar to female soybean looper moths can result in a 60-fold increase in egg production.

Immature Loopers - Cabbage (left), Soybean (right)
Photo by: Mississippi State University Archives

Soybean Looper
Photo by: David Jones, UGA

Cabbage Looper on Cotton
Photo by: David Jones, UGA

Soybean Looper moth
Photo by: David Jones, UGA