Pest profile

Larger canna leafroller (Brazilian skipper)

Calpodes ethlius · Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae[2]

The larger canna leafroller is one of two caterpillars that are very destructive to cannas in Florida.[1]

Larger canna leafroller adult, a brown skipper with small pale wing spots, resting on a broad leaf
Larger canna leafroller adult, a brown skipper with small pale wing spots, resting on a broad leaf. (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Middle-stage caterpillars have a dark brown, nearly black head and a semi-transparent dark green body with a white side stripe.[1]
  • Adults are brown skippers with transparent spots, five on each forewing and three on each hind wing.[1]

Where it lives

It's established in Florida, Texas and southern Arizona and visits other Gulf states and coastal Georgia and South Carolina.[1]

US map: public records from 20 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Caterpillars live inside a rolled leaf, extending only the head to feed.[1]

In southern Florida adults appear in May, with a second generation in early June.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Red-leaved varieties got many more eggs in tests, and those with scarlet, red or orange flowers took more egg-laying and feeding.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UF/IFAS mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Green-leaved varieties received fewer eggs in trials, though no variety has proven resistant.[1]

Biological control

Three parasitic wasps have been recorded from it in Florida, one of them attacking pupae.[1]

Common questions

What's rolling and eating my canna leaves?
Often the larger canna leafroller, which hides in rolled leaves.[1]
Are some cannas less affected?
Green-leaved varieties got fewer eggs in tests, but none are resistant.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Larger Canna Leafroller, Calpodes ethlius (EENY-132).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN289 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Calpodes ethlius taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/53866 (accessed 2026-10-06)

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