Alfalfa Caterpillar

Common Name: Alfalfa Caterpillar

Genus: Colias

Species: eurytheme

Identification: see lifecycle

Lifecycle: The insect overwinters in the pupal stage on the plants. In the spring the overwintering pupae change to yellow butterflies. They lay 200 to 500 eggs singly on the underside of the alfalfa leaves. The eggs hatch in a few days and the dark grass-green worm feed on the leaves and when mature form a pupa without spinning a cocoon. The adult emerges in 5 to 7 days. In the South, there can be 5 to 7 generations with 2 being the norm in the more northern states.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout the United States with the heaviest damage occurring in alfalfa-growing regions of the western states.

Damage and Treatment: Infested fields show partly to wholly consumed leaves. Yields can be drastically affected. Treatment should be made when insect populations and/or damage levels reach economic thresholds. Refer to local University Extension Pest Management Guidelines for specific state thresholds.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa Weevil Hypera

Aphids Therioaphis maculata, Dysphis plantaginea, Acyrthosiphon kondoi, Acyrthosiphon kondoi, Acyrthosiphon pisum, Aphis gossypi

Cutworms Agrotis ipsilon, Agrotis orthogonia, Peridroma saucia

Grasshopper Melanoplus sanguinipes, Camnula pellacida

Green Peach Aphid Myzus

Kochia Kochia

Lambsquarters Chenopodium

Lygus Bug Lygus

Nightshades Solanum americanum, Solanum nigrum, Solanum ptycanthum, Solanum saccachoides

Pigweed, Redroot Amaranthus

Stink Bug Nezara viridula, Chlorockroa say, Euschistus consperus

Tarnished Plant Bug Lygus

Velvetleaf Abutilon

Venice Mallow Hibiscus

Wild Mustard Brassica

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