**7.6** *Spodoptera exigua* **(Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)**

**Identification:** moths have a wingspan of 25-30 mm. Forewings have a lighter spot near the center. Hindwings are paler with darker borders; however, a light band occurs at the wing edges. Eggs are flattened half-spheres, white to pinkish, with fine radiating lines from the top center. They are covered by the white, hairs like that give a cotton ball appearance to the egg cluster. The larvae color ranges from bright green to purplish green to blackish. The most common phase is light olive green with a darker strip down the back and a paler stripe along each side. Pupation occurs on or under the soil surface. Pupae are brownish, typical of all close relatives (Mau & Kessing, 2007b).

**Life cycle and damage:** females lay eggs in clusters that may be several layers deep. They hatch in 5-7 days in warm weather. Young larvae feed gregariously and skeletonize foliage. As they mature, larvae become solitary and eat large irregular holes in foliage. They are a serious defoliator of flower crops, safflower and cotton. The larvae have sixth instars (Capinera, 2010a).

**Monitoring:** Pheromone traps can be used to detect the presence and intensity of moths.

**Economic and action thresholds:** action threshold is 0.3 larvae per plant (Capinera, 2010a).

**Control:** controlling broad leaf weeds and rapid disposal of crop residues after harvesting may reduce population buildup. If the threshold is exceeded application of insecticides is advised. However, insecticides should be applied in early larval stages and achieve good coverage of targeted plants (Mau & Kessing, 2007b).
