VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR

Plant showing general feeding damage, a; b, larvae; c. pupa; d, moth. (All about natural size.)

VELVETBEAN CATERPILLAR

The velvetbean caterpillar is frequently a serious pest in the Southeastern States where it attacks soybeans, velvet-beans, and peanuts, and also feeds on kudzu, alfalfa, horsebeans, and other plants. The insect is a tropical species which does not survive the winter in continental United States except perhaps in the most southerly tip of Florida. The moths fly into this country sometime in June or July and may produce as many as three generations during the season. The insect does not usually become very abundant until late summer or early fall. However, a heavy infestation of caterpillars may completely strip the plants in a field within a few days. The small white roundish eggs are laid singly on the lower surfaces of the leaves and hatch in from 3 to 5 days. The caterpillars feed for about 3 weeks. They are very active and will spring into the air wriggling rapidly when disturbed, at the same time spitting a brownish liquid. After completing feeding, the caterpillars enter the soil to pupate at depths of 1/4 to 2 inches. The adult moths emerge about 10 days later.

Control: The velvetbean caterpillar on soybeans, peanuts, and other crops may be controlled with a 3 percent DDT dust, a good dusting sulfur, or cryolite, applied at the rate of 15 pounds per acre, when the caterpillars are starting to hatch. A second application of cryolite may be necessary about 10 days later to destroy the newly hatched caterpillars. The dust should be applied in the late afternoon when the air is quiet.

If a crop is treated with DDT, it should not be fed to dairy animals, poultry, or meat animals being finished for slaughter.