Corn Earworm Moth (Helicoverpa zea)

Caterpillar

The larvae have orange heads, black thorax plates, and primarily black bodies. Sometimes caterpillars of different colors like brown, green, pink, and yellow have also been observed. Their bodies are covered with thorny microspines. The caterpillars go through 4-6 instars, feeding together while young but becoming more aggressive and cannibalistic while maturing. Hence, only 1-2 fully mature larvae finally remain on a single host plant, out of the many that hatch from eggs.

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Pupa

After fully maturing, the larvae begin to pupate 5-10 cm below the soil’s surface. They are brown, 5.5 mm wide, and 17-22 mm long. The survival of the pupae depends heavily on factors such as the moisture content and temperature of the soil. In case of the low moisture in the soil the pupae could die out of dehydration.

Extension.msstate.edu

Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent.

Color and Appearance

Forewing: When opened, the wings are yellow-brown, with a dark spot located right at the center. Sometimes, a broad dark traverse band is seen on the wing. When closed, the spot cannot be clearly seen.

Hindwing: When opened, they display a creamy-white coloration basally and a blackish hue distally. Sometimes, a tiny spot can be seen centrally. When closed, the creamy-white color is vaguely visible.

Average wingspan: 32-45 mm

Flight pattern: Erratic; depending entirely on mating.

Season: May-August

Egg

They are pale green, in the beginning, becoming yellow and later gray over time. A single egg is deposited on either leaf hair or corn silk. Their shape varies from slightly domed to a flat sphere, measuring 0.5-0.6 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in height.

Ipm.missouri.edu