Cabbage Looper Moth
Common NameCabbage Looper Moth
Scientific NameTrichoplusia ni
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyPlusiinae
Wingspan (mm)35
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, silver
HabitatAgricultural fields, gardens, disturbed areas, open woodlands, and various cultivated landscapes.
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan, found worldwide in temperate and tropical regions, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Highly migratory.
Host Plantscabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, tomato, potato, cotton, soybean, various weeds
Flight PeriodYear-round in warm climates; multiple generations from spring to fall in temperate regions.
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green 'loopers' with white stripes, known for their characteristic looping movement. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon on the host plant or in leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey visual features include the characteristic silver Y-shaped mark and a separate silver dot on each forewing, set against a mottled brown and grey background.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled brown and grey forewings, characterized by distinctive silver-white markings, typically a Y-shape and a separate dot, near the center of each wing.
