a)         Lepidopterans                 1. Cabbage semi-looper (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)        3. Gram pod borer: Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)    BACK

2. Tobacco caterpillar: Spodoptera litura Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Distribution: Throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world.

Host plants: Polyphagous

 Nature of damage and symptoms:

·         Damage is caused by the caterpillars

·         Feed on leaves and fresh growth.

·         They are active at night and more serious on tobacco.

·         Young caterpillars bite holes on leaves

·         Older larvae defoliate entire foliage

Identification:

·         Larvae: About 35-40 mm in length when fullfed. They are velvety black with yellowish green dorsal strips and lateral white bands.

• Adults: The moths are about 22 mm in length and about 40 mm across the wings. The forewings have beautiful golden and grayish brown pattern.

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