Missouri Pest Monitoring Network
Tobacco Budworm I.D.

Identification of moth
(stage attracted to and captured in traps)

• Brownish in color and lightly tinged in green.
• Front wings are crossed transversely by three dark bands, each of which is often accompanied by a whitish border.
• Hind wings are whitish, with the distal margin bearing a dark band.
• Wing span measures 28 to 35 mm.

Identification of larvae (damaging stage)

• Young larvae are a yellowish green with a yellowish head capsule.


• Later instars are greenish with dorsal and lateral whitish bands, and with a brown head capsule.
• Body color can be variable, and pale green, pinkish, dark reddish or maroon forms are sometimes found.

Identification of eggs (damaging stage)

• Eggs are deposited on blossoms, fruit, and terminal growth.
• Spherical with a flattened base.
• Whitish to yellowish white in color, but turn gray as they age.
• Narrow ridges radiate from the tip of the egg.
• Eggs are laid 18 to 25 in number.