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.