Zebra Caterpillar
Melanchra picta (Harris)

Adults are reddish-brown and gray moths. Larvae are up to 35 mm long with reddish legs and head. Their bodies have black and yellow stripes with white reticulations. The larvae eat leaves of plants during the day; large infestations defoliate plants. Spotty damage occurs in August and September, primarily on sugarbeets. Host plants: sugarbeets, clover, cabbage, beets.