Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
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Cutworm - Turnip moth (Agrotis segetum)<br />
BIOSECURITY THREAT<br />
NOT PRESENT IN AUSTRALIA<br />
Distinguishing characteristics/description<br />
larva<br />
adult<br />
10 mm<br />
20<br />
30 40 50<br />
wingspan<br />
4 abdominal prolegs<br />
Larva<br />
Greyish-brown in colour with<br />
a greasy appearance and a reddish<br />
or brownish-black head capsule<br />
Two broad and light longitudinal<br />
bands running along the<br />
midline (that can have a very<br />
thin white line cutting through)<br />
Narrow dark<br />
band with white<br />
line inside<br />
Broad light<br />
bands<br />
On each body (abdominal)<br />
segment, there are 4 black<br />
spots each bearing a small bristle<br />
Adult<br />
All cutworm caterpillars are plump and smooth (greasy<br />
appearance), and can vary in colour depending on the<br />
instar.<br />
Larvae are mostly nocturnal and <strong>of</strong>ten burrow during<br />
the day, hiding under the soil surface or litter.<br />
More than one generation per year.<br />
Confused with/similar to<br />
Turnip moth can be confused with other cutworms<br />
present in Australia.<br />
Uniform<br />
circle<br />
Hindwings: grey in female;<br />
white/silver with light<br />
purple tinge in males<br />
Stout bodies covered in<br />
dense long scales.<br />
Antennae: threadlike in females;<br />
feather-shaped in males<br />
Distribution and potential spread<br />
Europe, Africa, northern Asia including China. Turnip<br />
moths are strong flyers and dispersal is aided by wind<br />
currents. This species is not known to migrate over large<br />
distances. Incursion and dispersal could occur through<br />
the transportation <strong>of</strong> plant and soil material.<br />
Crops attacked/host range<br />
Thin black<br />
border on wing<br />
periphery<br />
Kidney-shaped<br />
marking<br />
Turnip moth is a highly polyphagous pest in its current<br />
distribution, attacking wheat, barley, oats, brassicas,<br />
vegetables and weeds.<br />
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species<br />
9<br />
<strong>Insects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>Broadacre</strong> <strong>Farming</strong> <strong>Systems</strong> Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012
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