ARMYWORM MOTH
Mythimna unipuncta
OWLET MOTH FAMILY (Noctuidae)
Description
The Armyworm Moth has a wingspan of approximately 1.50 to 1.75 inches. The forewing is tan with an orange tint and is lightly speckled with black. A black shade line slants inward from the apex. The discal spot is a white dot on the upper surface. The hindwing is gray-brown with a tan fringe. The mature caterpillar is about 2 inches long. The body is smooth and almost hairless. It can be green, brown or dark gray with several dark stripes interspersed with pale lines along the top and sides.
Occurrence
This is a common moth in Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. Adults fly from April to November. They are nocturnal and come to lights, and also visit flowers during the day.
Comments
Another common name for this moth White Speck. It was formerly named Pseudaletia unipuncta. The caterpillars can be pests of many plants including corn, alfalfa, grasses, vegetables and also many wild plants. The caterpillars feed at night in fields in large numbers. When a feeding area is exhausted they migrate enmass to new feeding grounds.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Nature Association who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page
is: Babs Padelford.
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