Alfalfa Caterpillar – Colias eurytheme – Common Sulfur – Colias philodice

Alfalfa Caterpillar   Scientific Name: Colias eurytheme Common Name: Orange Sulfur, Alfalfa butterfly Appearance: Alfalfa caterpillar is the larval stage of the Alfalfa butterfly that grows up to 38mm long. It has a velvety green body and white lines running along the sides of the body. While the adult Alfalfa butterfly has white or yellow wings outlined by black color with one black and orange spot on each wing. Host Plants or Food: Alfalfa caterpillars mainly feed on the leaves of the alfalfa crop. Territory: Throughout North America. Mode of Damage: Alfalfa caterpillars are leaf chewers; unlike other caterpillars, they eat the entire leaves, including veins also. Habits and Life History: Alfalfa caterpillars are usually seen when the large population of the alfalfa caterpillars fly into the alfalfa field when the crop is less than 6 inches tall. Dry weather usually contributes to the economic population of Alfalfa caterpillars. Alfalfa caterpillar undergoes all four life stages, including Eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and adults. Female lays eggs singly onto the leaves of alfalfa crop almost one foot tall. After 3-10 days, the eggs hatch into larvae which grow very rapidly. The larva undergoes the pupal stage being rested on the leaves, and then after three weeks, the pupa matures into an adult alfalfa butterfly. Alfalfa caterpillars spend their winter as pupae in the crop and come out when the winter has gone. They produce 4-7 generations per year in synchronization with the hay-cutting. They pupate before hay-cutting occurs.