Corn earworm, also the soybean podworm. Very similar to the tobacco budworm and will in fact attack tobacco to some extent.

Corn earworm- tan head with no dark markings, microspines on upper surface of the body.

Early generation can feed in corn whorls, common in ears of field corn, popcorn, and sweetcorn. Can feed on many other crops. Will feed on soybean foliage and pods.

"Look-a-likes" are other striped caterpillars:

• Armyworm- tan head covered with "net-like" markings. No distinct spots on top of 8th abdominal segment.
• Fall armyworm-dark head, four distinct spots on top of 8th abdominal segment.
• Stalk borer- dark bar on each side of head, "bruised" purple area on 1st third of body
• Yellowstriped armyworm- Distinct yellow stripe along each side of body, small black triangles next to stripe on the top of each segment. Distinct spot behind spiracle on 1st thoracic segment.