A laboratory feeding bioassay was used to test field-grown foliage of eight peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotypes for foliar feeding resistance to three common species of defoliating caterpillars: velvetbean caterpillar (VBC), Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner; fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith); and corn earworm (CEW), Helicoverpa zea Boddie. The eight peanut genotypes studied were: Southern Runner, Florigiant, Curly Leaf, GPNC 343, Robut 33–1, NC6, Tifton-8, and Florunner. Percent survival of both FAW and VBC was very high (84–100%) when reared on any of the genotypes tested. Development to the pupal stage was slowest for FAW reared on Florunner, NC 6, and Tifton-8, and for VBC reared on Florunner and Tifton-8. Percent survival of CEW larvae was reduced on both NC 6 and Tifton-8 (36% survival). Differences in development to pupation and pupal weight were less distinct for CEW. When CEW larvae were provided ten peanut blooms each 48 hours in addition to unlimited foliage, development to pupation was significantly shorter in Florunner, NC 6, Robut 33–1, GPNC 343, and Curly Leaf than when larvae were fed only foliage. Similarly, CEW pupal weights were heavier in Florunner and GPNC 343 treatments, indicating that feeding on peanut blooms of most peanut genotypes tested was of benefit to CEW. In terms of overall response of the three insect species tested, NC 6 and Tifton-8 appeared to be the most resistant while Robut 33–1, Curly Leaf, and Florigiant appeared to be the most susceptible.