Bug FAQVelvetbean Caterpillar Moth
Anticarsia gemmatalis · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Erebidae
Also called: Cutworm Moth, Velvetbean Moth
Source: Wikipedia
The adult moth has gray-brown wings crossed by dark zigzag lines, while the caterpillars are black or green with thin lighter stripes along the back and sides. It is a tropical species that moves north each season and can be found from the Gulf states up to Wisconsin. Eggs develop best at about 25 °C (77 °F) and do not adapt to higher temperatures over several generations.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Adults have grayish-brown wings marked with brown or black zigzag lines.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is a tropical species that migrates north each season. You can commonly find it in the Gulf states and as far north as Wisconsin.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Egg viability is highest at 25 °C (77 °F) and does not improve at higher temperatures over three generations.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
It migrates north each season as a tropical species.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Common in the Gulf states and found as far north as Wisconsin; it is a tropical moth that moves north each season.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 36 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Texas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Maryland.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Is the velvetbean caterpillar a problem for my garden?
Yes, the caterpillar feeds on many beans, peanuts, soybeans and other crops, so it can damage garden plants.
Source: Wikipedia
What does the adult moth look like?
The adult has gray-brown wings crossed by dark zigzag lines.
Source: Wikipedia
Where might I find this species?
It is common in the Gulf states and can travel north as far as Wisconsin during its seasonal migration.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Erebidae)
Spongy MothLymantria disparDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Webworm MothHyphantria cuneaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Brown-tail MothEuproctis chrysorrhoeaCan irritate skin
Isabella Tiger MothPyrrharctia isabella
Virginian Tiger MothSpilosoma virginicaCan irritate skin
Salt Marsh MothEstigmene acreaSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticarsia_gemmatalis
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.