Fall Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Caterpillar

The caterpillars go through six instars. Initially, the larvae are green with a black head, with the head becoming orange in the 2nd instar. While going from the 2nd to the 3rd instar, they become brown and covered with lateral white lines. In the 4th to 6th instars, the head is reddish-brown, mottled with white and the brownish body bears white subdorsal and lateral lines.

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Pupa

The pupae are reddish-brown, 14-18 mm long, and 4.5 mm wide. Pupation takes place 2-8 cm underground, inside a cocoon made of soil particles held together with silk. This cocoon is oval-shaped and 2-3 cm long.

The moth spends 8-9 days as a pupa.

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Adult Moth

Sexual Dimorphism: Present. The wings of the female are less distinctly marked than the male.

Color and Appearance

Forewing: When the wings are opened, they are shaded brown to grey. There is a series of triangular white spots at the tip and center of the wing. When the wings are closed, the colors and patterns remain the same.

Hindwing: When the wings are opened, they are an iridescent silvery-white color, with a dark border at the edge. When the wings are closed, the colors and patterns are not visible.

Average wingspan: 3.2-4 cm

Flight Pattern: Erratic

Season: Late summer to early fall

Egg

They are dome-shaped, flattened at the base, and measure 0.4 mm in diameter and 0.3 mm in height. The eggs are laid in a mass, each clutch containing 100-200 eggs, and are covered with a layer of greyish scales by the mother, making them appear fuzzy.

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