Description:

• The loopers are light grey to dark brown.
• They have a distinctive yellow stripe on each side of the back.
• They grow up to 20 mm long and move with a looping motion.
• Brown pasture loopers can cause economic damage to newly sown pasture and legume crops. They damage seedling lucerne generally starting from the field's perimeter and moving towards the center. Damage can be substantial if left unchecked. Adjacent pastures are a common source of infestation.

Control:

• Nabis, beetles, spiders and birds are some of the natural enemies.
• Loopers favor cape weed and geranium in weedy pasture.
• Monitor field regularly, especially the perimeters.
• Like the red legged earth mites a border spray may be sufficient.
• Continue to look for lucerne flea.

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Pest of August Web Page created by Raymond Christinat , last updated August 2010
Please kindly email the author of any error.