Taxonomic description of the genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Karnataka (original) (raw)

A comprehensive and a comparative studies were carried out during 2015-16 on taxonomic account of species of the genus Spodoptera Fabricius is provided with three species are recognized in the genus S. exigua, S. litura and S. mauritia. Morphological characters viz., frons, vertex, antennae, labial palpi, compound eyes, ocelli, proboscis, wing venation, Male and female genitalic attribute, identification keys with photographs and illustrations are provided and discussed in detail. Introduction The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, is the most controversial family in the super family Noctuoidea because many of its clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of Noctuoidea. Currently, Noctuidae is now the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species [9]. The caterpillars of Spodoptera are most important insect pests of agricultural crops in the Asian tropics. It is widely distributed throughout tropical and temperate Asia, Australasia and the Pacific Islands. Spodoptera are totally polyphagous and therefore have huge potential to invade new areas and to adapt to new climatic and or ecological situations [3]. The Spodoptera group consists of closely related species with similar ecology that are difficult to identify to species level. It is also known as the cluster caterpillar, cotton leaf worm, tobacco cutworm, and tropical armyworm [10]. The larvae feed on a wide range of plants and have been recorded from over 40 mostly dicotyledonous plant families. It is a major pest of many crops in India and hence accurate species identification is necessary. Therefore, keeping these points in view the present investigation was carried out on taxonomic and genitalic studies of the genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Karnataka.