Pest profile

Cabbage Palm Caterpillar

Litoprosopus futilis · Lepidoptera: Noctuidae[2]

Cabbage palm caterpillars strip palm blooms and may crawl into buildings to spin their cocoons.[1]

Cabbage palm caterpillar moth, a fawn-colored moth with dark eyespots on its hind wings, on a pale wall
Cabbage palm caterpillar moth, a fawn-colored moth with dark eyespots on its hind wings, on a pale wall. Photo: Vijay Barve, public domain (CC0), via iNaturalist

How to identify it

  • Mature larvae are about 1 1/2 inches, pinkish with a shiny black head and long white bristles from black bumps.[1]
  • Adult moths are usually fawn colored with a 2-inch wingspan and a dark eyespot on each hind wing.[1]

Where it lives

It's found through much of Florida, with verified records from coastal South Carolina and Texas.[1]

US map: public records from 8 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Tiny larvae feed deep in developing cabbage palm bloom spikes, sometimes by the thousands.[1]

Mature caterpillars pupate in cocoons of palm fibers, sometimes inside buildings.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Heavy infestations strip palms of bloom and can seriously cut palmetto honey production.[1]
  • Caterpillars seeking pupation sites can chew through fiberglass window screen and have been seen chewing drywall.[1]

Health risk

UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people; the problem is caterpillars and moths getting indoors.[1]

Control

Keep them out

Find and block entry points with caulk or screen; the moths are strongly attracted to lights.[1]

Pesticides

Labeled insecticides or Bt can be applied when caterpillars are present, timed carefully to avoid foraging bees.[1]

Common questions

Why are caterpillars coming into my house from the palms?
Cabbage palm caterpillars enter structures to pupate.[1]
Will window screen keep them out?
Not always; they can chew through fiberglass screen.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Cabbage Palm Caterpillar, Litoprosopus futilis (EENY-095).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN252 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Litoprosopus futilis taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/177311 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.