Winter Survival and Hosts of the Velvetbean Caterpillar in Florida

Abstract

Velvetbean caterpillar larvae, Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner, were collected throughout the winter at Homestead, Lake Worth, Ruskin, and Bartow, Florida. Year-round oviposition and larval development are indicated in South and Central Florida. Larvae were collected as late as March at Turtle Mound and Anclote in Central Florida, but were scarce, and the populations may not have survived the winter in these areas. No larvae were collected after Dec. or Jan. at Sanford, Yankeetown, and Gainesville, Florida; thus, velvetbean caterpillar populations did not appear to survive the winter in Northcentral Florida. Velvetbean caterpillars were found most frequently on the following winter hosts: Vigna luteola (Jacq.), Phaseolus lathyroides L., Dolichos lablab L. (hyacinth bean), and Pueraria lobata (Willd.) (kudzu). They were also found on the following plants: Indigofera hirusta L., Desmodium floridanum Chapm., Galactia spiciformis Torr & Gray, Rhynchosia minima (L.), Pachyrizus erosus (L.), Canavalia miritima (Aub.), and Phaseolus speciosus H. B. K.