|
Avocado
> Year-Round IPM Program > Caterpillar
Management > Key to Caterpillars
Avocado
Key to Identifying
Caterpillars that Damage Avocado in California
This key will help you identify the larvae of moths that damage
avocado in California. Other Lepidoptera species that are found
only occasionally are not included. Ask your farm advisor or
agricultural
commissioner
for help in identifying specimens that do not fit the key.
Parts of a caterpillar useful in identifying the species
The features used in the key can be seen with a good hand lens,
but you may need a low power microscope to see certain features
on small larvae. The key works best for specimens in the third
instar or larger; some characteristics, such as the number of
prolegs and color markings, can be different in very young larvae.
Read both descriptions and compare the specimen
with the drawings provided before proceeding. After you arrive
at a name, compare the specimen with the appropriate caterpillar
photos and description. Take several specimens through the key
individually; your monitoring sample may include more than one
species and different age groups of one species.
Key to caterpillars
1. |
Two pairs of prolegs
on abdomen, on abdominal segments 6 and 10:
|
Omnivorous
looper |
Four pairs of prolegs in middle of abdomen, on segments
3, 4, 5, and 6:
|
See 2. below |
2. |
Black line on thoracic segment 1, above
first pair of true legs:
|
Western avocado leafroller (Amorbia)
|
Black line absent on thoracic segment:
|
Orange tortrix
|
Important links
Top of page
|
