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Cabbage looper

Cabbage looper

Trichoplusia ni

A species of Trichoplusia, Also known as Ni moth

As its common name suggests, the cabbage looper moth prefers to feed on cabbage plants and other vegetables such as broccoli and kale. It also has the word "looper" in its common name because of the larvae's tendency to arch their bodies into a loop shape as they crawl. These larvae can eat up to three times their body weight in a day.

General Info About Cabbage looper
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Attributes of Cabbage looper
Colors
Brown
White
Habitat
rocky slope; sandy terrain
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from flowers such as clover, yarrow, alfalfa, dandelion, goldenrod
Larva Food Source
Leaves of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, lettuce
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Pollinator
The Cabbage looper is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Cabbage looper feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Species Status of Cabbage looper
It can be found across North America and Eurasia.
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Distribution Area of Cabbage looper
North America, Eurasia, Florida, British Columbia
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Appearance of Cabbage looper
The cabbage looper eggs are generally yellow-white in color, dome-shaped, and patterned with ridges. Cabbage looper larvae are a type of cabbage worm, green in color with a white stripe on the side. The adult form is a moth with gray-brown front wings and light brown back wings. It is about 2.5 cm long and has a wingspan of 4 cm.
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How to Identify Cabbage looper?

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Life Cycle of Cabbage looper
Egg The cabbage looper begins as an egg, which is usually round or oval in shape. The egg's color may vary, often designed to blend into the environment for protection.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva of cabbage looper emerges, characterized by a voracious appetite. The larva is elongated with a variable color that changes through numerous molts as it grows.
Pupal After gorging and reaching an optimal size, the larva of cabbage looper becomes a pupa. This static stage is a transformative phase; the pupa may be camouflaged or buried.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult cabbage looper displays vibrant colors and patterns on its wings. The body is now segmented, the wings are developed, and the size is significantly larger.
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Adult Size of Cabbage looper
4 cm
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Predators of Cabbage looper Larvae
Birds, rodents, parasitic wasps, predatory beetles, spiders
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Scientific Classification of Cabbage looper
Tips for Finding Cabbage looper
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Youth Habitat of Cabbage looper
Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Urban and Suburban Areas
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Adult Habitat of Cabbage looper
Agricultural and Cultivated Areas, Urban and Suburban Areas, Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies
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How Can You Attract Cabbage looper
Since cabbage looper is a herbivore with larvae that feed on a wide variety of plants, attractive bait might include host plant leaves or flowers that they are known to feed on.
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Habitat Preferences of Cabbage looper Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of cabbage looper are typically found on the underside of host plant leaves, often in the vicinity of agricultural areas where cruciferous crops are grown. Caterpillars, or larvae, can be discovered upon these plants, feeding on the leaves. Pupae generally develop in concealed locations close to the host plants, such as in soil detritus or under plant debris. Adults, the nocturnal moths, are attracted to lights and can be found near fields or gardens where host plants are present, particularly during evening hours when they are most active.
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When is the Best Time to Observe Cabbage looper
The best time to find adult cabbage looper would likely be at night since many Noctuidae are nocturnal. Larvae can typically be found during the day on their host plants.
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What is the Best Weather to Observe Cabbage looper
Calm, warm, and humid nights are ideal conditions for observing adult cabbage looper. For larvae, a dry and sunny day after recent rain might make them more active and easier to spot.
Are Cabbage looper harmful?
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Harmful Effects of Cabbage looper
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Agricultural Pests

When cabbage looper larvae infest, they chew plant tissues causing defoliation and bloom damage which can escalate from mild to severe. A large infestation can lead to considerable crop loss, affecting food supply and economy.

More Effects of Cabbage looper

Beneficial Effects of Cabbage looper
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar, Accidental Contamination While Feeding On Nectar
The cabbage looper is an interesting pollinator, often attracted to flowers by their vivid colors and shape. It partakes in pollination primarily by consuming pollen and inadvertently while feeding on other floral parts, thus contributing to the reproductive cycle of plants.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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