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How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines


Saltmarsh caterpillar adult.

Sugarbeet

Saltmarsh Caterpillar

Scientific name: Estigmene acrea

(Reviewed 11/05, updated 11/05)

In this Guideline:


DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

Saltmarsh caterpillar is one of the woollybear caterpillars that has long hairs covering the entire body. Their hairs are generally of sufficient density as to completely hide the skin. They are typically black at each end with a median band in between of brown or reddish brown hairs. They also exhibit yellowish spots on the sides. The hairs are called urticarial hairs and may produce a stinging dermatitis (rash) on the skin of sensitive individuals.

DAMAGE

Caterpillars eat leaves. Young caterpillars skeletonize leaves while large, older caterpillars consume all of the leaf except the major veins. Small larvae are usually found feeding in groups on the underside of the leaves.

MANAGEMENT

Biological Control
The eggs are attacked by a number of predators and parasites. While the dense body hairs on the larvae effectively deter some of the potential predators and parasites, larvae are attacked by several diseases.

Monitoring and Treatment Decisions
No economic thresholds have been developed for saltmarsh caterpillars, which tend to be somewhat cyclic in their nature with damaging populations occurring every 3 to 4 years. While present in other years, numbers are generally low, and severe injury rarely occurs.

Common name Amount/Acre
(trade name)  

When choosing a pesticide, consider information relating to water quality and impact on natural enemies and bees.
     
A. BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS ssp. KURSTAKI#
  (various products)
Label rates
  MODE OF ACTION: A microbial (Group 11.B2)1 insecticide.
     
# Acceptable for use on organically grown produce.
1 Modes of action are important in preventing the development of resistance to pesticides. Rotate chemicals with a different mode-of-action group number, and do not use products with the same mode-of-action group number more than twice per season. For example, the organophosphates have a group number of 1B; chemicals with a 1B group number should be alternated with chemicals that have a group number other than 1B. Mode of action is assigned by IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee). For additional information, see their Web site at http://www.irac-online.org/.

[Precautions]

PUBLICATION

[UC Peer Reviewed]

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Sugarbeet
UC ANR Publication 3469
Insects and Mites
C. G. Summers, Entomology, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
D. R. Haviland, UC IPM Program, Kern Co.
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis

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Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
All contents copyright © 2005 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/r735301111.html revised: November 8, 2005. Contact webmaster.