Anticarsia

Hübner, 1818

Species Guides

Anticarsia gemmatalis(Velvetbean Caterpillar)

Anticarsia is a of in the Erebidae, erected by Jacob Hübner in 1818. The genus contains approximately 12 described distributed primarily in the New World. The most economically significant species is Anticarsia gemmatalis, commonly known as the velvetbean moth or velvetbean caterpillar, which is a major pest of soybean and other leguminous crops throughout the Americas. Several species have been subjects of scientific research, including studies on the effects of microgravity on in space.

Anticarsia gemmatalis by (c) USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Anticarsia gemmatalis by Mike Boone. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.5 license.

Anticarsia gemmatalis DSC02362a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anticarsia: /ˌæntɪˈkɑːrsiə/

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Images

Distribution

of Anticarsia are distributed across the Americas, with records from the United States (including Vermont), South America (Argentina, Brazil), and the Caribbean. The is primarily Neotropical in distribution, with some species extending into the southern United States.

Host Associations

Glycine max - pestAnticarsia gemmatalis is a major pest of soybean throughout the New World

Human Relevance

Anticarsia gemmatalis (velvetbean moth/velvetbean caterpillar) is one of the most economically important lepidopteran pests of soybean in the Americas. In North America, its damage is concentrated in the lower Mississippi River delta and southeastern Coastal Plain, while in South America it affects nearly 100% of soybean growing areas. Larvae feed on foliage, causing significant yield losses when are high. The has been the subject of space research, with specimens flown on NASA missions to study the effects of microgravity on .

Similar Taxa

Chrysodeixis includensSoybean looper is another major noctuid pest of soybean with similar larval feeding habits and geographic distribution; larvae can be distinguished by morphological characters including capsule coloration and body bristles