Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
DESCRIPTION
Adult 48-55 mm wingspan; forewings lanceolate,
greyish to ochreous-grey, streaked with black
(Plate 14f); hindwings greyish-white to greyish-
ochreous, dark brown in female. Larva up to
52 mm long; body greyish-ochreous to purplish-
brown, paler specimens with a reticulated pat-
tern variably marked with black; pinacula black;
spiracles black, ringed with whitish; head black;
prothoracic plate brownish-black, marked with
yellow.
Fig. 321 Forewing of antler moth, Cerapteryx
graminis (x4).
land. Some of the eggs hatch in the autumn but
most do not do so until the following February or
March. The larvae feed for several months and
eventually pupate in the soil, from late June
onwards.
Euxoa nigricans (L.)
Garden dart moth
This is a widely distributed and common allot-
ment and garden pest of vegetable crops;
damage is also caused to field crops such as car-
rot, potato and sugar beet. The larvae cause typi-
cal cutworm injury to roots and crowns of host
plants, and attacks are particularly noticeable in
dry conditions in May and June.
DESCRIPTION
Adult 28-38 mm wingspan; forewings greyish-
brown to reddish-brown, with a whitish to ochre-
ous antler-like pattern (Fig. 321); hindwings pale
brown to brownish-black. Larva up to 35 mm
long; body glossy, bronzy-brown with broad,
pale yellowish-brown, black-edged longitudinal
lines and pale apical margins to each segment;
spiracles black; head brownish.
BIOLOGY
Larvae of this species feed from early spring on-
wards and become fully grown in June. They
then pupate in the soil within earthen cells and
the adult moths emerge in August. There is just
one generation annually.
Cucullia umbratica (L.)
Shark moth
DESCRIPTION
Adult 35-40 mm wingspan; forewings blackish-
brown with darker cross-lines and pale stigmata;
hindwings whitish, suffused with brownish,
darker in female. Larva up to 40 mm long; body
pale ochreous, greenish-tinged laterally, with
pale dark-edged longitudinal lines and a double
whitish lateral stripe; pinacula blackish; head
greyish-brown marked with black.
Although associated mainly with wild
Asteraceae, especially Crepis, Hieracium, Lactu-
ca and Sonchus, the larvae also attack cultivated
lettuce, occasionally causing minor damage in
allotments and gardens.
BIOLOGY
Adults occur from June to early August. Eggs
are deposited singly on the leaves of host plants,
and they hatch within a week. The young larvae
are relatively active and often feed during the
daytime; older larvae, however, feed at night.
Larvae are fully fed by late August or early Sep-
tember. They then pupate in strong cocoons
formed in the soil, and adults emerge in the fol-
lowing summer.
Helicoverpa armigera (Hiibner)
Scarce bordered straw moth
In parts of southern Europe, this notorious tropi-
cal and subtropical pest is considered a significant
pest of vegetable crops such as artichoke, bean,
cucumber and tomato; in some areas, infestations
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