Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Lepidoptera: Pyralidae<br />
Lucerne seed web moth (Etiella behrii)<br />
Distinguishing characteristics/description<br />
larva<br />
adult<br />
Adult<br />
10 mm<br />
20<br />
30 40 50<br />
Orange/tan band<br />
running crossways<br />
on the forewings<br />
Wings greyish-brown<br />
and held over body at<br />
rest, giving moth slender<br />
appearance<br />
Prominent<br />
snout-like<br />
beak<br />
White strip<br />
along front<br />
edge <strong>of</strong> each<br />
wing edge,<br />
running along<br />
full length<br />
Larva<br />
Darkened head<br />
capsule that lightens<br />
to a golden brown<br />
when mature.<br />
(image <strong>of</strong> 4 th instar)<br />
Confused with/similar to<br />
Darker hardened<br />
area (cervical shield)<br />
behind head<br />
region<br />
Four pairs <strong>of</strong> abdominal<br />
prolegs, anal prolegs<br />
(prolegs not visible<br />
in image)<br />
Lucerne seed web moth can be confused with other<br />
snout moths (Pyralidae), such as weed web moth. Larvae<br />
can be confused with podding pests such as budworms.<br />
Lucerne seed web moth larval damage is associated with<br />
characteristic webbing <strong>of</strong> pods and flowers - budworms<br />
do not web.<br />
Distribution, pest status and risk period<br />
Lucerne seed web moth is widespread throughout<br />
Australia but it is generally only a major and irregular<br />
pest in lucerne-growing areas <strong>of</strong> southern Australia.<br />
Nearly<br />
complete ring <strong>of</strong><br />
hooks (crochet)<br />
arrangement at base<br />
<strong>of</strong> prolegs<br />
Body colour:<br />
Green to cream<br />
with a pinkish tinge<br />
and several stripes<br />
running along<br />
the body<br />
The pinkish tinge<br />
becomes more<br />
pronounced as<br />
it ages<br />
The highest risk period is when pods mature prior<br />
to harvest in summer. Seed damage is sporadic over<br />
seasons, varying from light to severe infestations when<br />
an outbreak occurs.<br />
Lucerne seed web moth can have 2-3 generations per<br />
year depending on the temperature, location and host<br />
plant availability. In southern Australia, adults are first<br />
seen in late September with a second peak (generation)<br />
in November/early December. A third generation <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
occurs in late December/early January.<br />
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species<br />
15<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
Change language