Anticarsia gemmatalis

Hübner, 1818

Velvetbean Caterpillar, Velvetbean Moth, Velvetbean Caterpillar Moth

Anticarsia gemmatalis is a tropical whose are among the most significant lepidopteran pests of soybean throughout the Americas. The undergoes northward from tropical areas, reaching as far north as Wisconsin in the United States. Larvae feed on foliage of leguminous , with velvet bean, soybean, and peanut being primary . The species has been studied in spaceflight experiments, where moths reared in microgravity exhibited altered compared to earth-reared individuals.

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 gemmatalis: /ˌæntɪˈkɑːrʃə dʒɛmˈmætəlɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

distinguished from similar by : when disturbed, they regurgitate a brownish substance, spring into the air, and exhibit vigorous writhing movements. resemble other noctuids but can be identified by the distinctive zigzag pattern combined with association with legume . are intermediate in size among common soybean lepidopteran pests and uniquely flattened-spherical in shape.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural and natural areas supporting leguminous plants. In North America, primarily soybean fields in the lower Mississippi River delta and southeastern Coastal Plain. In South America, occurs across nearly the entire soybean production region. Also found on velvet bean, peanut, and wild legumes including kudzu.

Distribution

to tropical and subtropical Americas. reaches Gulf Coast states of USA, with sporadic occurrence north to Wisconsin. Established throughout South America from Argentina to Brazil. Overwinters in tropical regions.

Seasonality

migrate northward from tropical areas as temperatures permit. Multiple occur during growing season in temperate zones. Activity ceases with onset of winter in northern parts of range.

Diet

are folivores feeding on leguminous plants. Documented include: velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), soybean (Glycine max), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), kudzu (Pueraria montana), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), horse bean (Vicia faba), snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), and coffeeweed (Sesbania spp.).

Host Associations

Glycine max - larval Primary economic ; major pest of soybean throughout New World
Mucuna pruriens - larval Original derived from this
Arachis hypogaea - larval Significant pest of peanut in southern USA
Pueraria montana - larval Wild supporting in non- areas

Life Cycle

with . laid singly on undersides of leaves throughout . through five feeding on foliage. occurs in soil. Multiple per year in favorable climates. Optimal egg viability at 25°C; higher temperatures reduce viability based on laboratory observations across three generations.

Behavior

exhibit distinctive defensive when disturbed: regurgitation of brownish fluid, jumping or springing into air, and vigorous writhing movements. are and attracted to light. reared in microgravity during spaceflight experiments used primarily for gliding rather than powered , in contrast to earth-reared moths that flapped wings actively.

Ecological Role

Major in agricultural . function as primary consumers converting . Serve as for including (Podisus maculiventris, Euthyrhynchus floridanus) and other . can cause significant and yield loss in soybean and peanut production.

Human Relevance

Significant agricultural pest causing to soybean, peanut, and other legume . Subject of extensive research on and . Has been studied in NASA spaceflight experiments examining effects of microgravity on and development. references historical importance as pest of velvet bean .

Similar Taxa

Chrysodeixis includensSoybean is co-occurring pest of soybean with similar larval and damage . Distinguished by looping , smaller more spherical (~10,000 per gram), and lack of defensive jumping . Eggs laid preferentially in middle to upper rather than distributed throughout.
Spodoptera frugiperda occasionally feeds on soybean seedlings. Distinguished by masses covered with and rather than single eggs, and with distinctive inverted Y on and four pinaculae per abdominal .
Helicoverpa zeaSoybean podworm feeds on soybean pods in addition to foliage, causing direct seed damage. Distinguished by larger barrel-shaped (~3,500 per gram) laid on all parts including pods and stems, not just leaf undersides.

More Details

Spaceflight Research

Anticarsia gemmatalis was among studied on NASA missions to examine effects of microgravity on . that eclosed in space exhibited fundamentally altered flight strategy, using as gliders with minimal flapping rather than powered flight. This demonstrated developmental plasticity in response to gravitational environment.

Temperature and Climate Effects

Laboratory studies indicate viability is maximized at 25°C with reduced to higher temperatures over three . This thermal sensitivity suggests complex responses to climate change: potential reduction in tropical areas already at optimal temperature, but range expansion and increased damage in currently cooler regions warming toward 25°C.

Global Distribution

While a major pest throughout the Americas, the has more recently been recorded in other regions. In Africa, it has been reported from Nigeria and potentially other West African countries, though establishment status in these areas requires confirmation.