New Pest Response Guidelines - Phytosanitary Resources

Noctuidae: Spodopotera
Chapter 2. Pest Information
Spodoptera littoralis
Ecological range
Establishment of S. littoralis would have devastating consequences on the
quantity and quality of food and fiber crops in the U.S. (Lightfield 1996;
CABI/EPPO 1997). In the late 1930’s, S. littoralis lowered yields of cotton by
as much as 75% (USDA 1982).
According to CABI/EPPO (1997), this pest remains “one of the most
destructive agricultural lepidopterous pests within its subtropical and tropical
range. It can attack numerous economically important crops all the year
round.” S. littoralis is particularly problematic on vegetables, ornamentals,
and leguminous forage in the Mediterranean (Inserra and Calabretta 1985,
CABI/EPPO 1997) and on cotton in Egypt (Inserra and Calabretta 1985,
CABI/EPPO 1997).
The economic consequences of establishment by S. littoralis would not be
limited to its direct effects on production agriculture: S. littoralis could
adversely affect access to foreign markets. The pest has quarantine status with
the following organizations (CABI/EPPO 1997, EPPO 1999):
• European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO)
Caribbean Plant Protection Commission (CPPC)
• Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria (OIRSA)
• North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO)
Many of the economically important exotic spodoptera are found in Africa
and Asia (Table 2.2). Of the minor pests, S. pecten is found in Asia, S. ochrea
is found in Peru, and S. marima occurs in Brazil. S. cilium and S. triturata are
found in Africa.
Table 2.2. Current range of economically important exotic spodoptera.
Species
Ecological range
S. littoralis (Boisduval) Africa, southern Europe, Near East
S. exempta (Walker) Africa, Australia, Hawaii
S. litura (Fabricus) Australia, Pacific Islands, Asia
S. mauritia (Boisduval) Madagascar, Saudi Arabia, Asia,
Pacific Islands, Hawaii
6