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Up to 1-1/2 inches long, the soybean looper is light green with white stripes running the length of its body. Black legs and body spots are found on some loopers, and the body is much thicker at the tail end, tapering to the head. The insect has 3 pairs (2+1 pattern) of abdominal prolegs. Looper defoliation typically begins in the middle of the canopy, and fields with lush growth are more inclined to have looper infestations. Outbreaks are also associated with areas of cotton production because the moths are attracted to cotton nectaries. The greatest economic injury occurs in the southern Coastal Plain. |
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