Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Mini Fact Sheet Edition

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Taro cluster caterpillar (031)

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Photo 1. Egg mass and young caterpillars of Spodoptera litura eating the underside of the leaf.

Photo 2. As the caterpillars of Spodoptera litura enlarge they eat deeper into the leaf; in this photo they have eaten the top surface of the leaf.

Photo 3. Caterpillars of Spodoptera litura have eaten through the leaf of Alocasia macrorrhizos, from the under surface, leaving the top waxy layer.

Photo 4. Mature caterpillar of Spodoptera litura.

Photo 5. Adult Spodoptera litura.

Photo 6. Spodoptera litura on capsicum, under protected cropping.

Photo 7. Spodoptera litura caterpillars on Basella species under protected cropping.

Photo 8. Spodoptera litura damage on Basella species under protected cropping.

Summary

• Widespread distribution. Tropics of Asia, Oceania. On cabbages, tomato, okra, chilli, cassava, maize, sweetpotato, rice, eggplant, watercress, and more. An important pest.
• Egg masses on either side of the leaves. Young caterpillars strip the leaf surface; older ones eat the leaves including the leaf stalks. Mostly feeding at night.
• The moth is a strong flyer.
• Cultural control: check for egg masses regularly, and destroy them by hand; allow chicken in the field.
• Natural enemies: predators and parasitoid wasps. Effective unless disturbed by cylones or droughts.
• Chemical control: PDPs: neem, derris, pyrethrum, or chilli; spinosad or Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) on young caterpillars. Alternatively, use synthetic pyrethroids, but they are likely to kill natural enemies.

Common Name

Taro cluster caterpillar, taro armyworm, tobacco cutworm, tropical armyworm

Scientific Name

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