Common name : Oriental leafworm moth
Scientific name : Spodoptera litura
Family : Noctuidae
Native to : Indo-Australian tropics
Interesting fact : The larvae of the oriental leafworm moth feed on over 40 different families of plants, making them a huge agricultural problem.
The adult of the tropical armyworm has a wingspan of 4 cm, and a blue-grey band on its forewings (only in males). Females lay eggs on the underside of the host plant’s leaf. The eggs hatch and larvae feed on the leaves initially, gradually progressing to fruits and flowers as well. Once they are fed, they fall to the ground and pupate in the soil without a cocoon.
