These species of caterpillars were found in large quantities feeding on Amaranthus, spinach, water spinach and sweet potato leaves. I have noticed that they also eat legumes leaves.
I have compared the pictures of the caterpillar and moth with images on the internet and it looks like a Spodoptera eridania. Is this the correct ID?
Yes, this is Spodoptera eridania, because of the following characters of the forewings:
1. Reniform spot in the form of a black or dark brown streak or spot (this is the
most diagnostic character).
2. Short black dash near base of wing along the inner margin.
The caterpillar is identical with yours: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1291117
It is known also from Suriname, and the plants you mentioned are included in the list of its known hostplants: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/44518
Please check the following helpful PDF attachment for the identification of species in the genus Spodoptera, based on forewing characters. However, for final identification, in many cases, genitalia dissection and examination is necessary.
Yes, this is Spodoptera eridania, because of the following characters of the forewings:
1. Reniform spot in the form of a black or dark brown streak or spot (this is the
most diagnostic character).
2. Short black dash near base of wing along the inner margin.
The caterpillar is identical with yours: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1291117
It is known also from Suriname, and the plants you mentioned are included in the list of its known hostplants: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/44518
Please check the following helpful PDF attachment for the identification of species in the genus Spodoptera, based on forewing characters. However, for final identification, in many cases, genitalia dissection and examination is necessary.
Sure it is.... neem seed oil extract 5% can be used in vegetables to manage this pest
Athanasios G Mpamnaras Thank you very much. Those informations helped me a lot, especially the handout.
Ioana Grozea, Mohammad Abdulhai and Anil Bhushan thank you very much
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