Green Cloverworm
Egg - The light green egg is hemispherical, measuring about 0.5 mm in diameter.
Larva - Varying in length from 1.5 mm (first instar) to 30.5 mm (sixth instar), the larva is pale green and often with two white, longitudinal stripes on each side. It has four pairs of prolegs and thrashes violently when disturbed. Color plate.
Pupa - The pupa is dark brown and about 13 mm long.
Host Plants - The green cloverworm attacks alfalfa, bean, clover, cowpea, soybean, strawberry, vetch, many common weeds, and other legumes.
Damage - Although common throughout the soybean-growing areas of the eastern United States, the green cloverworm seldom reaches pest status. This caterpillar may defoliate soybean plants and, in some cases, warrants chemical control. Because it attacks early in the season, however, plants usually compensate for foliage loss before pods are set. Many entomologists consider the green cloverworm a valuable food source for beneficial insects and diseases. This reservoir of beneficials often controls pests of more economic importance later in the season.
Life History - Green cloverworms overwinter either as pupae or adults. In spring, moths become active about the time clover becomes abundant. After mating, the females lay their eggs singly on the underside of the host plant's leaves. Eggs usually hatch in less than a week. After feeding for about 4 weeks, larvae drop to the ground, burrow into litter or soil, and pupate. The pupal stage lasts about 10 days. Three to four generations per year occur in North Carolina. Larvae appear on soybeans during early July, peak in mid-August, and decline by late September.
