Cabbage Looper (caterpillar stage)

Natural Habitat

Agricultural fields, gardens, and other areas where host plants (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, etc.) are grown. They are found worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous. Cabbage loopers feed on a wide variety of plants, especially cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, kale) and other plants like lettuce, tomatoes, and cotton. They chew holes in leaves, often starting from the underside.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae have a distinctive 'looping' motion when they crawl, due to having fewer prolegs in the middle of their body than most caterpillars. They are mostly active during the night and hide during the day. They pupate in a delicate cocoon, often on the underside of a leaf. The adult moth is nocturnal, grayish-brown, and has a silver mark on its forewings.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Cabbage loopers are considered a significant agricultural pest, causing considerable damage to vegetable crops by defoliating plants. Benefits: As with many insects, they can serve as a food source for natural predators (birds, parasitic wasps, predatory insects), contributing to the food chain. The adult moths are pollinators, though not highly specialized.

Identified on: 10/5/2025