Southern armyworm

Spodoptera eridania (Stoll)

(Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Adult moths are mottled grayish brown with a wingspan of 33 to 38 mm. Forewings are grey and brown with irregular, dark markings, and hind wings are opalescent white. Larvae grow to 35 mm long, have light brown heads, and vary in color among green, blackish green, and brown. They bear distinct yellow lines and dark spots along the length of the body.

Completion of the life cycle takes about 30 to 40 days. Eggs are laid in scale-covered masses of 100 to 200 eggs on the underside of foliage and hatch in four to six days. Larval development through six instars takes about 14 to 20 days, and the pupal period lasts 11 to 13 days.

Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, southern armyworm is found in the southeastern United States.

Larvae of this polyphagous species feed gregariously on leaves and fruits of many important field, fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops.

Images 

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Adult moth of southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), dorsal view

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Adult moth of southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), lateral view

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Curled larva of southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), lateral view

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)

Larva of southern armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), dorsal view

(Photographer: Lyle Buss, University of Florida)