Native budworm

Native budworm is a major pest of a variety of crops during spring to early summer. The larvae feed on buds, flowers, fruiting parts and seeds. They attack many crops including field peas, faba beans, lentils, chickpeas, lupins and canola. Adult moths are approximately 30-35 mm long, light brown to red-brown, with numerous dark spots and blotches. The hind wings are pale with a dark band along the lower edge. Larvae can be up to 40 mm long with substantial colour variation (shades of brown, green and orange), usually with darkish strips along the body and bumpy skin with sparse stiff black hairs.