Lesser budworm

The lesser budworm is closely related - and looks similar to - the native budworm (Helicoverpa punctigera). Lesser budworm larvae are usually dark in colour, with a light coloured strip down each side of the body. For older larvae (>20 mm in length), lesser budworm has white hairs on the collar segment and the body, whereas native budworm has black hairs on the collar and black to blackish-brown body hairs. Lesser budworm moths are generally darker in colour than the native budworm, and adults have a distinctive pattern on the forewing. Lesser budworm usually occurs in outback Australia, and outbreaks in agricultural regions are a rare event. The potential level of damage this species can cause is unclear; however they have previously been recorded attacking pulses, medics, canola and cereals.