Cabbage Webworm – Hellula rogatalis

Cabbage Webworm   Scientific Name:  Hellula rogatalis Common Name:  Cabbage webworm Appearance:  Cabbage webworm feature yellowish-brown forewings with white markings. The hind wings are pale grey and have a fringed margin. It has a greyish-yellow larva with longitudinally running black and purple lines. They have a glossy head and a body covered with setae.   Host Plants or Food: Cabbage webworm is a herbivorous insect and majorly feeds on plant species of the Brassicaceae family. This includes cabbage, turnip, kale, beet, mustard, broccoli, and radish. Territory: Throughout North America, Eastern USA, Western USA Mode of Damage:  They are leaf chewers and bore holes mainly in the lower surface of the leaves. It may also feed on buds, especially of young plants, damaging further growth potential. The larvae also build a silk web on the foliage to feed under protection. Habits and Life History: Cabbage webworm is an exclusive pest of the crucifers and can be seen on the wing from March or June till October. They lay yellowish eggs, which turn pink on maturity. The larva hatches out of the eggs in 2 to 24 days, depending on the temperature and environmental conditions. The larva feeds on the foliage until it matures enough to pupate. It falls to the ground, burrows in the ground for a good few inches and builds a silk cocoon to pupate. They may produce multiple generations per year.