Mythimna unipuncta
| Mythimna unipuncta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Mythimna |
| Species: | M. unipuncta |
| Binomial name | |
| Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The White-Speck (Mythimna unipuncta) is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is found North America, the Hawaiian Islands, in some areas of South America, southern Europe, North Africa, the Sahel region of Africa, Central Asia and Bangladesh to the East and East Africa.
The wingspan is 41–48 mm. The length of the forewings varies from 18 to 21 mm.
The White-Speck is a migrant species, recorded in most months, but most frequent between August and October. .
The larva feeds on various grasses.[1]
Larvae
The larva of Mythimna unipuncta is known as the "true armyworm" or "common armyworm" and is a major agricultural pest in North America.[2] Armyworms feed on Gramineae, which includes weedy grasses as well as important crops like hay, barley, corn, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, sugarcane, and wheat.[3]
Outbreaks
Outbreaks of common armyworm swarms are not uncommon.[3]
In the United States, the western regions of New York State experienced an outbreak of common armyworms around May 2012. While the infestation remained fairly localized, it had a significant impact on local agriculture and farming.[4] [5] Armyworms spread in great numbers to Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Montana in the fall of 2012.[6]
Gallery
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Female, dorsal view
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Female, ventral view
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Male, dorsal view
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Male, ventral view
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Caterpillar
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Caterpillar
- ^ The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range.
See also
- African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) (Africa)
- Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (North and South America)
- Northern armyworm, Oriental armyworm or Rice ear-cutting caterpillar (Mythimna separata) (Asia)
References
- ↑ "Robinson, G. S., P. R. Ackery, I. J. Kitching, G. W. Beccaloni & L. M. Hernández, 2010. HOSTS - A Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants. Natural History Museum, London.".
- ↑ Guppy, F. Life history and behaviour of the armyworm Pseudaletia unipuncta (Haw.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Eastern Ontario. Can. Entomol 1961. 93:1141–1153
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 John L. Capinera, University of Florida. Published October 2006. Updated May 2013 Featured Creatures: armyworm
- ↑ Charity Vogel for the Buffalo News. July 11, 2012 Armyworms coming back, but farmers can rest easy Second infestation of the destructive pest is beginning but not showing up in fields
- ↑ Geoff Palmer New York State Department of Agriculture. July 23, 2012 Pest Alert - Armyworms Round Two Hit Hay and Corn Crops
- ↑ AgTalk Forums: Armyworms in alfalfa
- (Dutch)Waring, P. en M. Townsend (2006) Nachtvlinders, veldgids met alle in Nederland en België voorkomende soorten, Baarn: Tirion.