Anticarsia gemmatalis
Taxonomic position
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| Literature database |
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Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, 1818 - (velvetbean caterpillar)
is an important pest of soybean in the Americas which can cause extensive defoliation. It might also feed on other legumes like groundnuts. The species is found in tropical regions, but can migrate to more temperate regions during the summer. In several areas it is considered the most important insect pest on soybean. The development from egg, through 6 larval stages, to mature adult lasts around 4-6 weeks, but varies considerably with the temperature.
Early planting can reduce the damage. Apart from insecticides, biological control, like the Anticarsia gemmatalis nuclear polyhedrosis virus has been used on a large scale in parts of South America.
The adults have a wingspan of 30-40 mm. The wings are yellowish-brown to dark brown, sometimes grayish, with darker lines. There is often a conspicuous transverse dark line across both wings. The colouration of the larvae varies also considerably and can be greenish to different shades of brown, to dark brown, usually with longitudinal light lines.
| Vernacular names | |
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| • English: | velvetbean caterpillar soybean caterpillar |
| • Español: | polilla migratoria gusano del frijol |
| • Português: | lagarta-da-soja |
- Other images of Anticarsia gemmatalis (IPM Images - click to enlarge)
adult
larva
larva on soybean
larva on peanut
