While late instar larvae of beet armyworm (BAW), diamondback moth (DBM), and cabbage looper (CL) can usually be distinguished without difficulty, identifying their eggs and early instars can be challenging, especially when these species occur together on the same hosts, such as the Brassicas. The following descriptions summarize key diagnostic features that can help to accurately identify the eggs and young larvae of these pest species in the field.

Figure 1: Diamondback moth eggs (A) and early instar larva (B).


Figure 2: Cabbage looper eggs (A) and early instar larva (B).


Figure 3: Small cluster of beet armyworm eggs (A),
newly hatched larvae (B), and 3rd instar larva (C).

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