Integrated Pest Management Guide

ZEBRA CATERPILLAR, Melanchra picta (Harris)

Pest Status: Larvae are occasionally found on cranberries but prefer to feed on weeds, especially blackberry.

Life cycle: This cutworm spends the winter as a partially grown larva. There is only one generation per year. Larvae have very conspicious yellow stripes running along each side of the body separated by alternating black and white stripes running around the body. It can reach more than 3 cm (1.25 inches) in length. Larvae have three pairs of front legs and five pairs of hind legs.

Monitoring: Larvae may be found during monitoring for blackheaded fireworm larvae.

Control: Chemical control is usually not necessary, but if many larvae are detected feeding on cranberry plants, a registered insecticide for climbing cutworms is recommended. Consider spot-spraying if the infested area can be defined. Damage will be minimized if larvae are detected soon after hatching and if insecticide is applied in the evening. Insecticides are most effective when larvae are small.

The tachinid Winthemia quadripustulata (Fab.), a beneficial parasitic insect, is known to parasitize zebra caterpillar larvae.
 

Zebra caterpillar larva	Zebra caterpillar moth

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