PEST PROFILES: MOTH AND BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS
Picture of a Greenstriped Mapleworm

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Greenstriped mapleworm

Description:
This is a large yellow-green larva with a red head. It has a pair of black "horns" just back of the head. Heavy infestations in July or August may defoliate trees. Young larvae are gregarious and skeletonize leaves of host plants. When mature, larvae become more independent and consume entire leaves, leaving only the midrib. Adults are white with a thin, light purple line extending across their front wings.

Damage:
Defoliates primarily red and silver maples but may attack other maples, boxelder, and oak.

Life cycle:
Overwinters as pupae in the soil beneath host trees. Adults emerge in May and females oviposit about 150 eggs in clusters of 40 or more on undersides of leaves. Eggs hatch in 10 days. There are 2 generations per year.