Cutworm
Dasygaster padockina
Other names Dasygaster discoideus
Family: - Noctuidae
Order: - Lepidoptera
Description:
Adult
Night flying moths with eyes that reflect orange light. Attracted to lights.
Colour - Brown or grey.
Body - Medium size. Stout. Long hair scales.
Wings - 2 Pairs. Membranous. Hairy. Wing-span mm
Mouthparts -
Antennae - 3 segments.
Legs - Broad overlapping scales. Feet (Tarsi) have 5 segments.
Head - Broad overlapping scales. Large rounded compound eyes. Hairy unlashed 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 - Oblong. Often laid in clusters in a gel.
Habits - Can't fly when cold.
Caterpillar -
Colour -
Body -
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. Curls up when disturbed.
Pupa -
Biology:
Life Cycle:
Moth flies by night and lays eggs on plants. Caterpillars remain close to where eggs were laid.
Habitats:
Origin and History:
Distribution:
Significance:
Caterpillar is a major pest of cereals and grasses.
Management and Control:
Thresholds:
Cereals - 4 large larvae per metre of crop row.
Canola - 4 large larvae per metre of crop row.
Check the crop early and regularly for any sign of plants being cut off. Larvae can be difficult to find because they are often underground.
Related Species:
Armyworm, Bogong moth, Cluster caterpillar, Common Armyworm, Corn Earworm, Cutworms, Helicoverpa, Heliothis, Inland Armyworm, Loopers, Native budworm, Southern Armyworm.
Similar Species:
References:
CSIRO. The Insects of Australia. Melbourne University Press. (1991) p914.
Acknowledgments:
Collated by HerbiGuide. Phone 08 98444064 for more information.