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How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

Pest identification and confirmation—Common caterpillars

Here are six common, often confusing, caterpillars found in backyards:

Looper
Looper
Distinctive looping movement;
2 prolegs

Corn earworm
Corn earworm
(Tomato fruitworm)
Distinct stripes with
short hairs

Velvety faint stripe
Imported cabbageworm
Velvety; faint stripe

Varigated cutworm
Variegated cutworm
 Hairless; bumpy skin

Beet armyworm
Beet armyworm
 Nearly hairless,
striped greenish

Western yellow-striped armyworm
Western yellow-striped armyworm
Dark colored, hairless with yellow stripe

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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