Saltmarsh Caterpillar, Estigmene acrea
(Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

The saltmarsh caterpillar is found throughout the United States but primarily in the southern states. It has a generation time of approximately 40 days depending on environmental conditions. The saltmarsh caterpillar overwinters as a mature larva and pupates in the early spring. Eggs are yellow when first laid but later turn gray. The larvae vary from brown to a dark yellowish-brown or straw color. The larvae are marked by long body hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance. Individual larvae may be found searching for food. The larva pupates in the soil in leaf litter. The adult moth is distinctive in color, being mostly white with the wings having numerous black spots. The hind wings may be yellow or white.

The saltmarsh caterpillar has a wide host range including many vegetable crops as well as many weeds. The favored weed host is pigweed (Amaranthus spp.). The saltmarsh caterpillar tends to defoliate plants and is usually a problem later in the growing season, closer to fall. Parasitoids occur naturally but insecticides are usually applied to manage the population. Damage is usually first noticed at the edges of a field, so trap crops may be an effective tool to control the saltmarsh caterpillar.

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Saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, larva on broccoli.
Larval appearance varies considerably, but the hairs are
quite long in the older caterpillars.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, larva.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)

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Saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, cocoon and adult.
(Photographer: L. Buss, University of Florida)

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Saltmarsh caterpillar, Estigmene acrea, adult female; males
have orange hind wings.
(Photographer: J. Capinera, University of Florida)

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