Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1142217

Tobacco Budworm Moth
Chloridea virescens

Observation date: September 17, 2017
Submitted by: Laurie Morrison
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This caterpillar was curled up in a petunia. For the last few weeks I've noticed my petunias are being eaten from the outside of the flower toward the inside, often in a uniform way, by that I mean many of the flowers have as much eaten off each petal as the next one, like in an orderly fashion. But not all, as you can see in the picture:
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: December 03, 2021
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Maryland, Montgomery County