Identification
Adult: forewing light brownish-gray with dark gray smudged patches, irregular median and PM lines, and pale apical patch; ST line toothed; terminal line slightly wavy; some obscure reddish-brown shading in subterminal area; hindwing white with dark gray apical shading and dark discal spot
Larva: mature larva handsomely marked - striped across back with black and white; yellow stripes along sides; brownish-red head; immature larva dark grayish-green above and pale on the sides, with yellowish head
Range
Much of eastern US, but concentrated in southeastern states.
Food
Larvae feed on members of the cabbage family, including cabbage, collard greens and Brussels sprouts.
See Also
Purple-backed Cabbageworm (
E. pallidata) adult forewing has diagnostic ring-like marking that resembles a tied knot
other species of
Evergestis have a different forewing pattern and/or a western distribution (
compare images of several species at MPG)
Print References
Garden Insects of North America
(1)Internet References
Maryland Moths adult images (Larry Line, Maryland)
Forestry Images live larvae image plus common name reference (Clemson U., South Carolina, forestryimages.org)
live adult, larva, and pupa images by various photographers (Moth Photographers Group)
