Armyworm

Product description

The armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a species in the order Lepidoptera and is the larval life stage of a fall armyworm moth. It is considered a pest and can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops, causing huge economic losses.
Its scientific name is derived from frugiperda, named because of the species' ability to destroy crops. Because of its propensity for destruction, the fall armyworm's habits and crop protection capabilities have been studied in depth.

Egg:
The eggs are spherical and creamy in color, which are laid in a cluster covered with gray hairs.

Larvae:
The caterpillars are light green with yellow lateral and dorsal stripes in the early stage and later turn dark brown or gray green with a semicircular black spot on the side of each segment.

Pupa:
They pupate within the soil in soil cocoons. Pupa is
dark brown and has a length of 16-17 mm.

Adults:
The adult moth is medium, stout built dark brown with a prominent triangular black spot on the forewings. The hind wings are white to brown with thin black edges.

BIOLOGICAL METHODS:

• Parasitoids such as tachinids, ichneumonids, eulophids, chalcids and braconid wasps parasitize this pest. Grasshoppers, ants, birds and toads feed on the pest.