Moths > Moths Index | Index II
Spodoptera litura, commonly known as the Tobacco Cutworm, Cotton Leafworm or Oriental Leafworm Moth, is a species of nocturnal moth in the Noctuidae family.
Pictured is the caterpillar of the species Spodoptera litura. They are also known as Cluster Caterpillar(s), sometimes being found in clusters. The caterpillars of this species have been identified across Australia, most with distinctive rows of dark half-moon and spots along the body. The caterpillar also appear to vary in colour some light to dark brown. The species is considered a serious pest of many agricultural crop.
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Informal: Pterygotes
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Unranked: Ditrysia
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Noctuidae
- Subfamily: Acronictinae
- Genus: Spodoptera
- Species: Spodoptera litura
Footnote & References
- Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775), Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Spodoptera litura
- Cluster caterpillar, The Beatsheet, Pest management for Australia’s Northern Grains Region, Queensland Government, https://thebeatsheet.com.au/resources/insect-identification/cluster-caterpillar/
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