SALTMARSH CATERPILLAR, Estigmene acrea (Drury)
Description PictureDamage
  • adults are white moths with wings freckled with black spots
  • in females, wings are yellow on the underside
  • males have hind wings, yellow above and below
  • full grown, larvae are up to 2 inches long
  • covered with dense hairs ranging from yellowish to brown and nearly black

    • Photo credit: W. L. Sterling, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University

  • larvae are present in large numbers and migrate similar to armyworms
  • strip foliage from plants