Loopers

Caused by: Trichoplusia ni
Problem Category: Insect
Symptoms: Large or small holes in leaves; damage often extensive; caterpillars are pale green with a white lines running down either side of their body; caterpillars are easily distinguished by the way they arch their body when moving; eggs are laid singly, usually on the lower leaf surface close to the leaf margin, and are white or pale green in color
Comments: Insect overwinter as pupae in crop debris in soil; adult insect id a dark colored moth; caterpillars have a wide host range
Management: Looper populations are usually held in check by natural enemies; if they do become problematic larvae can be hand-picked from the plants; an organically acceptable control method is the application of Bacillus thuringiensis which effectively kills younger larvae; chemical sprays may damage populations of natural enemies and should and should be selected carefully
Control: Spray 5% Neem seed kernal extract to control the loopers damage