Cabbage Looper

Natural Habitat

Found widely across North America in gardens, commercial agricultural fields, and landscapes where host plants are present.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous; larvae feed on a wide variety of plants including cabbage, broccoli, kale, lettuce, tomatoes, and many ornamental flowers.

Behavior Patterns

The caterpillar is known as a looper because it arches its back in a high loop as it crawls. They are primarily nocturnal feeders and go through five instars before pupating in a thin silken cocoon.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a significant agricultural pest as they can defoliate vegetable crops. They provide no significant direct benefit to humans, but serve as a food source for birds and parasitic wasps in the ecosystem.

Identified on: 1/1/2026