The document discusses Spodoptera litura, a significant pest of cotton known as the army worm, detailing its identification, life cycle, damage it causes to crops, and control measures. The larvae feed on cotton leaves leading to severe damage, while control can be achieved through the use of lufenuron. The pest is prevalent in various regions, including North Carolina, and also affects other crops like grasses and cereals.

1. Insect Pests of Cotton
Ehtisham Hussain
BAGF15E258
University College Of Agriculture,
University Of Sargodha, Sargodha
In the name of Allah, the most Merciful and the most Beneficent

2. Technical Name:
Spodoptera litura
(Noctuidae; Lepidoptera)
Major pest of Cotton

3. Identification:
Army worm is a pest of graminaceous crops all
over the world
 Moth- pale brown
 Larva- dull white and later turn green
 Egg- round light green when freshly laid and
turn yellow and finally black

4. Pupae
Lavae
Adult
Egg

5. Life Cycle of Army Worm:
LarvaAdult
Egg
Pupae
The survival of pupae depends upon soil moisture
Hatches
Mar-May
one week
Hatches 2-3
weeks in Dec-
Jan
Grows in 2
week during
spring
Grows in 2-3
prolonged in
winter
Pre-pupal
stage last one
week of Jan-
May
Pupal stage
completed in 2
week in may
And complete
6-8 weeks in
winter

6. Damage:
 Larvae feed on tender leaves
 As larvae grown, they feed on older leaves
and skeletonize them totally
 Grown up caterpillars through out fecal
pellets
 Attack whole leaves, including midrib look
like grazed by cattle
 May also eat away ears, including the awns

8. Control:
 Army worms can be controlled by spraying the
crop with lufenuron EC 800 ml/acre
Other Host:
Grasses, cereals, vegetables, fruits, legumes etc
Distribution:
U.S. North Carolina and Coastal Plain Region