Description

Adult

Wingspan of 40 to 55mm. Forewings dark brown with a distinct black dash extending distally from a kidney shaped marking. Hind wings are greyish white with veins marked by darker scales.

Larvae

Length up to 50 mm and uniform in colour – ranging from pale grey, grey-brown to black. A pale grey mid dorsal line is present and the head capsule is dark brown. The epidermis is characteristic – when observed closely dark coarse granules can be seen covering the surface.

Eggs

Hemispherical ribbed white eggs are deposited in clusters on leaves of low growing hosts..

Distribution

Cosmopolitan

Economic Host(s)

A wide range of horticultural and agricultural crops including crucifers, tomato, potato, tobacco and rice.

Symptoms/Signs

Early instars feed on leaves and seedlings while later instars begin to feed below ground on roots of their host. Feeding results in yellowing and dead leaves and toppling or severing of plants as the stem and roots are eaten internally.

Generations:

Generations: 1-4 (climate dependent)