UF/IFAS Vegetable Arthropod Pest Photographs CD-ROM III

Cross-striped Cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis
(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The cross-striped cabbageworm is a common pest in the southeastern United States and in Central America. Several parasitoids are identified, but their importance is not documented. The life cycle generally takes about 60 days, with three to four generations per year. The egg is yellow, flat, and round. The larvae are gray with stout hairs and become bluish-gray with transverse black bands as they age. A yellow line is usually found on each side of the caterpillar. Pupation occurs in the soil, near the surface in a small cocoon covered with sand. The forewings of the adult are straw colored, and are also marked with purplish-brown bands. The hindwings are transparent and white with a dark band near the edge of the wing.

Host plants commonly attacked by the cross-striped cabbageworm include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard, kale, rutabaga, and turnip. Larvae are generally found feeding on foliage, and create small holes. Terminal buds are usually preferred, and under some circumstances larvae may burrow into the center of developing heads. Foliar insecticides may be applied to control cross-striped cabbageworm populations. Over-fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers should be avoided since it was shown to be directly related to increases in larval populations.

Images

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Cross-striped cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis,
larvae and feeding damage.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)
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Cross-striped cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis, larvae.
(Photographer: J. Castner, University of Florida)
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Cross-striped cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis, adult.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)
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Cross-striped cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis, young
and mature larvae.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)
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Cross-striped cabbageworm, Evergestis rimosalis, young
larva.
(Photographer: P. Choate, University of Florida)
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