Cluster Caterpillar

Spodoptera litura

Family: - Noctuidae

Order: - Lepidoptera

Description:

Adult

Night flying moths with eyes that reflect orange light.

Colour -

Body - Medium size. Long hair scales.

Wings - 2 Pairs. Membranous. Hairy.

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 - Stout 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 cereals and grasses. Most damage usually occurs from September to January.

Management and Control:

Preyed on by scarab beetles.

Related Species:

Bogong moth, Cluster caterpillar, Common Armyworm, Corn Earworm, Cutworms, Helicoverpa, Heliothis, Inland Armyworm, Lawn Armyworm, Loopers, Native budworm, Southern Armyworm.

Similar Species:

References:

Jones, D. & Elliot, R. Pests Diseases and Ailments of Australian Plants. Lothian Publishing Co. p118.

Acknowledgments:

Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.