9,845 observations
Beet Armyworm Moth
Spodoptera exigua
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia βΊPhylum: Arthropoda βΊClass: Insecta βΊOrder: Lepidoptera βΊFamily: Noctuidae βΊGenus: Spodoptera
About
The beet armyworm or small mottled willow moth (Spodoptera exigua) is one of the best-known agricultural pest insects. It is also known as the asparagus fern caterpillar. It is native to Asia, but has been introduced worldwide and is now found almost anywhere its many host crops are grown. The voracious larvae are the main culprits. In the British Isles, where it is an introduced species and not known to breed, the adult moth is known...