Description

Adult

Wingspan of 38-40 mm. Forewings whitish-brown to dark brown with each wing bearing a kidney shaped stigma and a dart like marking. Hind wings are light greyish brown in females and more whitish in males.

Larvae

Length up to 38 mm and dull brownish to greenish-brown with dark edged longitudinal stripes along the back and sizeable black spiracles. Head yellowish brown & shiny marked with pair of vertical black bars.

Eggs

Hemispherical and ribbed whitish eggs are laid randomly on the soil surface. Eggs become pinkish coloured with age.

Distribution

Throughout Europe except the northern most parts.

Economic Host(s)

Range of horticultural and agricultural crops such as tomato, potato, carrot, wheat and maize.

Symptoms/Signs

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

Generations:

1-2