Lawn Armyworm
Spodoptera mauritia
Family: - Noctuidae
Order: - Lepidoptera
Description:
Adult
Night flying moths with eyes that reflect orange light.
Colour -
Body - Medium size. Stout. Long hair scales.
Wings - 2 Pairs. Membranous. Hairy. Wing-span
Mouthparts -
Antennae - 3 segments.
Legs - Broad overlapping scales. Feet (Tarsi) have 5 segments.
Head - Broad overlapping scales. Large rounded compound eyes.
Thorax - Broad overlapping scales. 3 segments. Front segment much smaller. Hairy
Abdomen - Broad overlapping scales. 7-11 segments. Spiracles on segments 1-7. Hairy
Egg -
Habits - Can't fly when cold.
Caterpillar -
Colour -
Body - mm long, mm wide.
Mouthparts - Chewing.
Antennae - Short. 3 segments.
Legs - 5 segments. Single claw on end.
Head - Hard.
Thorax - 10-11 segments. Spiracles on segments 1 to 8. Prolegs on segments 3, 6 and 10.
Abdomen -
Habits - Herbivorous.
Pupa -
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Caterpillar eats the leaves and stems.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Native to Australia.
Distribution:
Significance:
Caterpillar is a pest of lawns and pastures.
Management and Control:
Related Species:
Armyworm, Bogong moth, Cluster caterpillar, Common Armyworm, Corn Earworm, Cutworms, Helicoverpa, Heliothis, Inland Armyworm, Loopers, Native budworm, Southern Armyworm.
Similar Species:
References:
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.