
Community identification
Cabbage Looper
Trichoplusia ni
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Noctuidae
- Size
- Caterpillars grow to about 30-40 mm (1.2-1.6 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Found in gardens, agricultural fields, and greenhouses throughout much of the world, particularly North America.
Diet & Feeding
Feed on a wide variety of plants, especially cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower.
Behavior Patterns
Named for their 'looping' movement (inching like an inchworm); they are nocturnal feeders that often pupate on the undersides of host leaves.
Risks & Benefits
Considered a significant agricultural pest due to leaf damage; provides a food source for various birds, spiders, and parasitic wasps.