The mature larva grows to about 1.5 inches. It is smooth-skinned and brown with a yellow stripe along each side. It can also have a variety of colorful stripes. Some individuals have 2 black triangular spots on top of most segments. The head is reddish-brown with a white inverted V shape. The Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.25 to 1.75 inches. The forewing is brown or gray with bluish shading, white lines and black markings. The white mark below the reniform spot forks to form a sideways Y shape. The hindwing is translucent white with dark veins and a dark terminal line.
The frequency of occurrence is not known at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. The caterpillar shown here was photographed at Fontenelle Forest in late June, 2017. The adults are probably most common from June through September.
The caterpillar is also called Cotton Cutworm. The foodplants include a large variety of herbaceous plants including alfalfa, asparagus, bean, clover, grape, pokeweed and tomato. The species spends the winter in southern states as a pupa in soil. The adult moths migrate north in the spring on storm fronts and make their way as far north as Canada.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Babs Padelford.