Green cloverworms are commonly found in soybean. The caterpillar (larva) is green, slender and reaches a length of about 1 inch. It has three pairs of abdominal prolegs. This distinguishes it from other caterpillars found in soybean. It feeds only on leaves, and the feeding damage is similar to that of loopers. Smaller green cloverworm larvae crawl in a looping, inch-worm fashion similar to loopers. However, green cloverworm larvae often wriggle spastically when disturbed or prodded, helping to distinguish them from loopers. They may be found at any time during the season, but they are damaging only at high populations or in combination with other defoliators. For more information visit the Soybean Insects Green Cloverworm Fact Sheet (W198).


In an average sized field, take 25 sweeps with a sweep net and count the number of larvae that are found at 4 locations. Increase the number of sampling sites in large fields (> 50 acres). Also, visually estimate percent defoliation at each sampling point. It is important to document what other pests are present and may also be contributing to defoliation.


Treat at 30% defoliation until bloom (R1), 20% from bloom to full seed (R1-R6), and 30% after R6 to R6 plus 7-10 days. Alternatively, treatment can be made based on a threshold of 38 green cloverworms per 25 sweeps.



Management options

Insecticide (Trade Names) for GREEN CLOVERWORMLb Active Ingredient per AcreAmount Formulation per AcrePerformance Rating
acephate 90 (Orthene 90S)0.75 - 0.990.83 - 1.10 lb8
bifenthrin (Brigade 2E, Discipline 2E, Fanfare 2E)0.063 - 0.104 - 6.4 oz9
chlorantraniliprole (Vantacor 5 SC)0.047 - 0.0671.2 - 1.71 oz9
chlorantraniliprole, bifenthrin (Elevest)See label4.8 - 9.6 oz9
chlorantraniliprole, λ-cyhalothrin (Besiege)See label6 - 8 oz9
diflubenzuron (Dimilin 2)0.031 – 0.0632 - 4 oz9
esfenvalerate (Asana XL 0.66E)0.015 - 0.032.9 - 5.8 oz9
indoxacarb (Steward 1.25)0.055 - 0.115.6 - 11.2 oz9
methomyl (Lannate LV 2.4)0.23 - 0.4512 - 24 oz9
methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2)0.063 - 0.1254 - 8 oz9
novaluron (Diamond 0.83E)0.039 - 0.0526 - 9 oz8
permethrin (Pounce 3.2E)0.05 - 0.12 - 4 oz8
spinetoram (Radiant SC 1)0.016 - 0.0312 - 4 oz9
spinetoram, methoxyfenozide (Intrepid Edge)See label4 - 6.4 oz9
spinosad (Blackhawk 36% WDG)0.034 - 0.051.1 - 2.2 oz9
β-cyfluthrin (Baythroid XL 1)0.025 - 0.0441.6 - 2.8 oz9
γ-cyhalothrin (Declare 1.25)0.0075 - 0.01250.77 - 1.28 oz9
λ-cyhalothrin (Warrior II 2.08)0.015 - 0.0250.96 - 1.6 oz9
Z-cypermethrin (Mustang Maxx 0.8E)0.0175 - 0.0252.8 - 4 oz9