Brown pasture looper

Brown pasture looper larvae are dark brown to grey in colour with a yellow line along the back either side of a conspicuous dark band. They have red spots surrounding the breathing holes (spiracles) on the sides of the body, and can grow to 20–35 mm in length. They move using a series of back arches, which results in a characteristic looping motion. Adult moths are pale dusty brown in colour with grey and brown streaks on the forewings. Larvae attack pastures, canola and some pulse crops, and are most damaging when large sized caterpillars (>20 mm) transfer from summer and autumn weeds onto newly emerged seedlings.