Moths > Moths Index

Spodoptera litura, commonly known as the Tobacco Cutworm or Cotton Leafworm is a species of nocturnal moth in the Noctuidae family.

Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor
Oriental Leafworm Moth (Spodoptera litura), Wallaga Lake NSW © Deb Taylor

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.

Spodoptera litura on lotus flower, Alice Springs NT
Spodoptera litura on lotus flower, Alice Springs NT
Spodoptera litura on lotus flower, Alice Springs NT
Spodoptera litura on lotus flower, Alice Springs NT
  • 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

  1. Spodoptera litura (Fabricius, 1775), Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Spodoptera litura
  2. 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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