1.3 Rearing
of Spodoptera litura
(Tobacco Cutworm or
Cotton Leaf worm)
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Uniramia
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Spodoptera
Species:
litura
Distribution: Cosmopolitan
Host:
Tobacco, cotton, cauliflower, mustard, kidney bean, French
bean, okra, castor, spinach, pea pod
Damage:
The moth oftentimes destroys the leaves completely through
the larvae’s vigorous eating patterns. The moth destroys
economically important agricultural crops disastrously
1.3.1 Life Cycle
The life cycle of S. littoralis necessitates from 19 to 144 days. Host
plant species can affect the length of time required for growth.
Egg
Egg incubation demands 2 days (in warm weather) to 26 days
(in cold weather).
Larva
Larvae mature into five to six instars. Larval growth entails from
12 days (during hot summer months) to 85 days (in winter).
Pupae
Pupation occurs in cells 1–2 in. beneath the surface of soil and
differs from 5 days (in summer) to 31 days (in winter). At 83.5
F
soil temperature, pupation needs 7.3 days (males) or 6.1 days
(females).
Adult
Newly emerged female moths mate once or twice while males can
mate up to six times. Females survive for a duration of 2 days
(in summer) to 22 days (in winter). Eggs are laid 2–3 days
subsequent to mating. Eggs hatch at 80
F in 4 days. A female
moth can deposit six to nine batches of eggs within average life span
of up to 7 days (Fig. 3).
Host Insect Rearing
53
of Spodoptera litura
(Tobacco Cutworm or
Cotton Leaf worm)
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Uniramia
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Spodoptera
Species:
litura
Distribution: Cosmopolitan
Host:
Tobacco, cotton, cauliflower, mustard, kidney bean, French
bean, okra, castor, spinach, pea pod
Damage:
The moth oftentimes destroys the leaves completely through
the larvae’s vigorous eating patterns. The moth destroys
economically important agricultural crops disastrously
1.3.1 Life Cycle
The life cycle of S. littoralis necessitates from 19 to 144 days. Host
plant species can affect the length of time required for growth.
Egg
Egg incubation demands 2 days (in warm weather) to 26 days
(in cold weather).
Larva
Larvae mature into five to six instars. Larval growth entails from
12 days (during hot summer months) to 85 days (in winter).
Pupae
Pupation occurs in cells 1–2 in. beneath the surface of soil and
differs from 5 days (in summer) to 31 days (in winter). At 83.5
F
soil temperature, pupation needs 7.3 days (males) or 6.1 days
(females).
Adult
Newly emerged female moths mate once or twice while males can
mate up to six times. Females survive for a duration of 2 days
(in summer) to 22 days (in winter). Eggs are laid 2–3 days
subsequent to mating. Eggs hatch at 80
F in 4 days. A female
moth can deposit six to nine batches of eggs within average life span
of up to 7 days (Fig. 3).
Host Insect Rearing
53