Pest profile

Omnivorous Looper

Sabulodes aegrotata · Lepidoptera: Geometridae[2]

Omnivorous loopers are inchworms that chew leaves of dozens of trees and shrubs, and their natural enemies usually keep them in check.[1]

Omnivorous looper moth, a tan to brown moth with a narrow dark band across the wings, resting with wings spread
Omnivorous looper moth, a tan to brown moth with a narrow dark band across the wings, resting with wings spread. (c) Franco Folini, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Older larvae grow to about 2 inches, yellow to pale green or pink with dark side lines and a gold head.[1]
  • Two pairs of rear prolegs make them travel in the classic looping, inchworm style.[1]
  • Adults are tan moths with a narrow black band across the middle of the wing.[1]

Where it lives

Hosts include acacia, box elder, buckeye, elm, eucalyptus, fruit trees, ginkgo, magnolia, maple, pepper tree and willow.[1]

US map: public records from 3 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Eggs hatch in about 8 or 9 days, and mature larvae pupate in webbing between leaves.[1]

Egg to adult takes two to five months; there are four to five generations inland and three on the coast.[1]

Damage and signs

  • Young larvae scrape leaf surfaces; older ones chew through, leaving midribs and veins.[1]
  • Feeding scars fruit and can misshape or drop it.[1]

Health risk

It feeds on plants; UC IPM mentions no risk to people.[1]

Control

Prevention

Prune and thin canopies, since loopers thrive in protected sites.[1]

Avoid broad-spectrum, persistent insecticides that kill its natural enemies.[1]

Biological control

Trichogramma egg parasites and several braconid wasps are its most important enemies, and a granulosis virus kills larvae when they're abundant.[1]

Common questions

What are the inchworms on my maple?
Possibly omnivorous loopers, which move in a looping style and feed on many trees.[1]
Will natural enemies handle them?
Often. Parasitic wasps, predators and a virus are effective when not disrupted by sprays.[1]

Sources

  1. University of California Statewide IPM Program, “Omnivorous Looper (Pests in Gardens and Landscapes).” ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/PESTS/omnilooper.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Sabulodes aegrotata taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/55467 (accessed 2026-10-06)

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