Mythimna separata
| Mythimna separata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Mythimna |
| Species: | M. separata |
| Binomial name | |
| Mythimna separata Walker, 1865 | |
| Synonyms | |
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The Northern armyworm, Oriental armyworm or Rice ear-cutting caterpillar (Mythimna separata) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in China, Japan, South-east Asia, India, Eastern Australia, New Zealand, and some Pacific Islands. They term “Armyworm” is used because of their habit to spread out in a line across a lawn or pasture, and slowly “marching” forward, meanwhile consuming the foliage they encounter.
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The wingspan is 35–50 mm. The moth flies from January to April depending on the location.
The larvae feed on a range of agricultural plants like Zea mays, Sorghum bicolor and Oryza sativa and are thus considered a pest.
Infestations
China experiences periodic outbreaks of northern armyworm infestation.[1] The outbreak in 2012 was particularly severe.[2]
See also
- African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta) (Africa)
- Common armyworm or true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta) (North and South America)
- Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (North and South America)
References
- ↑ Wang GP, et al. The role of nectar plants in severe outbreaks of armyworm Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in China. Bull Entomol Res. 2006 Oct;96(5):445-55.
- ↑ Staff, ChinaDaily. August 14, 2012. China warns of armyworm outbreak
External links
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