Datasheet
Spodoptera littoralis (cotton leafworm)
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Pictures
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| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
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 | Title | Larva |
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| Caption | Larva of S. littoralis, showing light and dark longitudinal bands on sides of the body and dark spots on segments of the dorsal side. |
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| Copyright | Biologische Bundesanstalt, Dossenheim, Germany |
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| Larva | Larva of S. littoralis, showing light and dark longitudinal bands on sides of the body and dark spots on segments of the dorsal side. | Biologische Bundesanstalt, Dossenheim, Germany |
 | Title | Larva |
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| Caption | S. littoralis larva feeding on cotton leaves. |
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| Copyright | AgrEvo |
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| Larva | S. littoralis larva feeding on cotton leaves. | AgrEvo |
 | Title | Adult |
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| Caption | Adult moth of S. littoralis (museum set specimen). |
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| Copyright | ©Georg Goergen/IITA Insect Museum, Cotonou, Benin |
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| Adult | Adult moth of S. littoralis (museum set specimen). | ©Georg Goergen/IITA Insect Museum, Cotonou, Benin |
 | Title | Ova |
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| Caption | S. littoralis egg mass on leaf of Rosa spp. from Kenya. |
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| Copyright | Maarten van Merriënboer/PPS, Aalsmeer, Netherlands |
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| Ova | S. littoralis egg mass on leaf of Rosa spp. from Kenya. | Maarten van Merriënboer/PPS, Aalsmeer, Netherlands |
 | Title | Ova |
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| Caption | Close-up of S. littoralis egg mass on leaf of Rosa spp. from Kenya. |
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| Copyright | Maarten van Merriënboer/PPS, Aalsmeer, Netherlands |
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| Ova | Close-up of S. littoralis egg mass on leaf of Rosa spp. from Kenya. | Maarten van Merriënboer/PPS, Aalsmeer, Netherlands |
Identity
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Preferred Scientific Name
- Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)
Preferred Common Name
Other Scientific Names
- Hadena littoralis Boisduval
- Noctua gossypii
- Prodenia littoralis (Boisduval)
- Prodenia litura Fabricius sensu auctorum
- Prodenia retina (Freyer)
- Prodenia testaceoides Guenee
International Common Names
- English:
Egyptian cotton leafworm; Egyptian cotton worm; leafworm, Egyptian cotton; Mediterranean brocade moth; Mediterranean climbing cutworm; Mediterranean climbing cutworm; tobacco caterpillar; tomato caterpillar
- Spanish:
gusano negro; rosquilla negra
- French:
noctuelle méditerranéenne; ver du coton
Local Common Names
- Denmark:
afrikansk bomuldsugle
- Finland:
krysanteemiyökönnen
- Germany:
Afrikanischer Baumwollwurm
- Sweden:
afrikanskt bomullsfly
EPPO code
- SPODLI (Spodoptera littoralis)
Taxonomic Tree
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- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Metazoa
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Uniramia
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Noctuidae
- Genus: Spodoptera
- Species: Spodoptera littoralis
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
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For about 60 years, the Egyptian cotton leafworm was known as Prodenia litura. However,
Viette (1962) demonstrated that S. littoralis is a species separate from S. litura. Some authors mistakenly continue to regard the allopatric Old World cotton leafworm species S. littoralis and S. litura as the same species. Generally, however, it is accepted that S. littoralis is found in Africa, Madagascar, Europe and the Middle East, whereas S. litura is found in Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Description
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Eggs
Spherical, somewhat flattened, 0.6 mm in diameter, laid in clusters arranged in more or less regular rows in one to three layers, with hair scales derived from the tip of the abdomen of the female moth. Usually whitish-yellow in colour, changing to black just prior to hatching, due to the big head of the larva showing through the transparent shell (
Pinhey, 1975).
Larvae
Larvae grow to 40-45 mm and are hairless, cylindrical, tapering towards the posterior and variable in colour (blackish-grey to dark green, becoming reddish-brown or whitish-yellow). The sides of the body have dark and light longitudinal bands; dorsal side with two dark semilunar spots laterally on each segment, except for the prothorax; spots on the first and eighth abdominal segments larger than the others, interrupting the lateral lines on the first segment. The larva of S. littoralis is figured by
Bishari (1934) and
Brown and Dewhurst (1975).
Pupae
When newly formed, pupae are green with a reddish colour on the abdomen, turining dark reddish-brown after a few hours. The general shape is cylindrical, 14-20 x 5 mm, tapering towards the posterior segments of the abdomen. The last segment ends in two strong straight hooks (
Pinhey, 1975).
Adults
Moth with grey-brown body, 15-20 mm long; wingspan 30-38 mm; forewings grey to reddish brown with paler lines along the veins (in males, bluish areas occur on the wing base and tip); the ocellus is marked by two or three oblique whitish stripes. Hindwings are greyish white, irridescent with grey margins and usually lack darker veins (
EPPO, 1997).
Distribution
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The northernly distribution limit of S. littoralis in Europe corresponds to the climatic zone in which winter frosts are infrequent. It occurs throughout Africa and extends eastwards into Turkey and north into eastern Spain, southern France and northern Italy. However, this boundary is probably the extent of migrant activity only because although the pest overwinters in southern Spain, it does not do so in northern Italy or France. In southern Greece, pupae have been observed in the soil after November and the species overwinters in this stage in Crete. Low winter temperatures are therefore an important limiting factor affecting the northerly distribution, especially in a species with no known diapause (
Miller, 1976;
Sidibe and Lauge, 1977).
Distribution Table
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The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
| Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
|---|
Asia |
| Bahrain | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Iran | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Iraq | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Israel | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Jordan | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Lebanon | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Oman | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Pakistan | Absent, formerly present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Saudi Arabia | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Syria | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Turkey | Restricted distribution | | | 197* | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| United Arab Emirates | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Yemen | Restricted distribution | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
Africa |
| Algeria | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Angola | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Benin | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Botswana | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Burkina Faso | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Burundi | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Cameroon | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Cape Verde | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Central African Republic | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Chad | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Comoros | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Congo | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Congo Democratic Republic | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Côte d'Ivoire | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Egypt | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Equatorial Guinea | Restricted distribution | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Eritrea | Restricted distribution | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Ethiopia | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Gambia | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Ghana | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Guinea | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Kenya | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Libya | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Madagascar | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Malawi | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Mali | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Mauritania | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Mauritius | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Morocco | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Mozambique | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Namibia | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Niger | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Nigeria | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Réunion | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Rwanda | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Saint Helena | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Ascension | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967 | |
| Sao Tome and Principe | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Senegal | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Seychelles | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Sierra Leone | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Somalia | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| South Africa | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Spain | | | | | | | | |
| -Canary Islands | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Sudan | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Swaziland | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Tanzania | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Togo | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Tunisia | Restricted distribution | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Uganda | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Zambia | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Zimbabwe | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
Europe |
| Austria | Absent, no pest record | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Belgium | Absent, no pest record | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Croatia | Absent, confirmed by survey | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Cyprus | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Denmark | Absent, intercepted only | | | | | IPPC,
2013; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Finland | Eradicated | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| France | Present, few occurrences | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Germany | Absent, intercepted only | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Greece | Restricted distribution | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Crete | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Italy | Restricted distribution | | | 1968 | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Sicily | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Malta | Widespread | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Netherlands | Eradicated | | | | | NPPO of the Netherlands, 2013; EPPO,
2014 | Absent, pest eradicated, confirmed by survey. Based on long-term annual surveys, 362 survey observations in 2012. |
| Portugal | Restricted distribution | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Azores | Present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Madeira | Present | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| Spain | Restricted distribution | | | | | CIE,
1967; EPPO,
2014 | |
| -Balearic Islands | Restricted distribution | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Sweden | Absent, formerly present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| Switzerland | Absent, formerly present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| UK | Eradicated | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
| -England and Wales | Absent, formerly present | | | | | EPPO,
2014 | |
Risk of Introduction
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EPPO has listed S. littoralis as an A2 quarantine pest (OEPP/
EPPO, 1981). CPPC, NAPPO and OIRSA also consider it to be of quarantine significance. It is a potential pest of areas where the average annual minimal temperature is not below -10°C. S. littoralis is already fairly widespread in Mediterranean countries and does not present a phytosanitary risk there. The most significant phytosanitary risk for S. littoralis is the possible introduction into glasshouses in most parts of Europe, where it could damage many ornamental and vegetable crops. Although control with insecticides is possible, there have been many cases of resistance and the lack of available biological control methods means that introduction of S. littoralis into glasshouses could necessitate insecticide treatments that could interfere with existing biological control of other pests (
EPPO, 1997).
S. littoralis first appeared in UK glasshouses in considerable numbers in 1963. It was found that the eggs were being introduced on imported cuttings, especially chrysanthemums and carnations.
Hosts/Species Affected
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The host range of S. littoralis covers over 40 families, containing at least 87 species of economic importance (
Salama et al., 1970).
In many of the published reports of host plants, it is difficult to distinguish between S. littoralis and S. litura but the tabular data refers entirely to records from the distribution area of the former. Both species are totally polyphagous (
Brown and Dewhurst, 1975;
Holloway, 1989).
Growth Stages
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Flowering stage, Fruiting stage, Seedling stage, Vegetative growing stage
Symptoms
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On most crops, damage arises from extensive feeding by larvae, leading to complete stripping of the plants.
On cotton, the larvae feed on the leaves creating large holes of irregular shape and usually all that remains are the bigger veins. The larvae may also bore into the bud or young boll and consume the whole contents, causing them to be shed or dry up (
Bishari, 1934). Bolls have large holes in them from which yellowish- to dark-green larval excrement protrudes. On tobacco, leaves develop irregular, brownish-red patches and the stem base may be gnawed off. Maize stems are often mined by S. littoralis and young grains in the ear may also be damaged.
List of Symptoms/Signs
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| Sign | Life Stages | Type |
|---|
| Fruit / frass visible
| |
|
| Fruit / internal feeding
| |
|
| Fruit / obvious exit hole
| |
|
| Fruit / premature drop
| |
|
| Leaves / external feeding
| |
|
| Leaves / shredding
| |
|
Biology and Ecology
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Female moths lay most of their egg masses (20-1000 eggs) on the lower surface of younger leaves or upper parts of the plant (
Khalifa et al., 1982). On cotton, the first three larval instars feed mainly on the lower surface of the leaves, whereas later instars feed on both surfaces. The larvae feed mainly in the dark, although this behaviour pattern may be less noticeable in early instars (
Hassan et al., 1960).
Pinhey (1975) recorded that >50% of the nocturnal larval population consisted of early instar larvae. In summer the majority of fifth- and sixth-instar larvae leave the plants during mid-morning until sunset, returning to climb the plant at night (
Baker and Miller, 1974). Third- and fourth-instars rest on the plant and remain stationary unless overcrowded.
On pupation the fully grown larva pushes the loose surface of the soil downwards until it reaches more solid ground 3-5 cm deep. It then creates a clay 'cell' or cocoon in which it usually pupates within 5-6 hours (
Pinhey, 1975).
Emergence of adult moths occurs at night and they have a life span of 5-10 days (
Shalama and Shoukry, 1972). The reproductive capacity, egg facility and life span of moths are affected by the difference in ages between males and females. The highest ratio of egg fertility was obtained by mating between 4-day-old males with fresh females (
Nasr and Nassif, 1978). There is also a correlation between the host plant and the longevity and fecundity of S. littoralis (
Dimetry and Nadia, 1972). The majority of adults mate on the first night of emergence, copulation lasting for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Approximately 50% of mated females lay their eggs on the same night of mating, before sunrise (
Hassan et al., 1960). Adults fly at night, mostly between 20.00 and midnight (
Nasr et al., 1981). Flight activity is governed by atmospheric conditions, increases in relative humidity and decreases in air temperature inducing flight (
Hassan et al., 1960). The flight range during a 4-hour-period can be up to 1.5 km (
Salama and Shoukry, 1972).
The moths have chemoreceptors on the ventral surface of the tarsi and the distal portion of the proboscis. These are highly sensitive and respond to a certain number of sugars mainly present in nectar. Pheromones (comprising of tetradecadien-1-ol acetates) have been isolated and successfully used in traps (
Kehat and Gordon, 1975;
Campion, 1977).
The minimum constant temperature for normal development in all stages is 13-14°C. Resistance to cold generally increases through the larval stages and is greatest in the pupal stage (
Miller, 1977). At 18°C, egg, larval and pupal stages last 9, 34 and 27 days, respectively. At 36°C, egg, larval and pupal stages last 2, 10 and 8 days, respectively. Data on survival and development at different temperatures are provided by
Sidibe and Lauge (1977),
Baker and Miller (1974) and Ocete
Rubio (1984). Information on development on different host crops is given by
Dimetry and Nadia (1972),
Hirakly and Bishara (1974),
Abdal-Fattah (1977),
Zoebelein (1977) and
Badr et al. (1983). Studies in Egypt indicate that there are seven overlapping generations of S. littoralis when feeding on cotton, and that there are three peak infestation periods (
El-Shafei et al., 1981;
Khalifa et al., 1982).
Notes on Natural Enemies
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Natural enemies that have been observed in the field (
Hegazi et al., 1977).
Delvare and Rasplus (1994) described the pteromalid parasitoid, Spodophagus lepidopterae, from S. littoralis from Madagascar. Most work on the natural enemies of S. littoralis has been done in Egypt and Spain.
Generalist predators of S. littoralis include ladybirds, which feed on egg masses and young larvae, Paedeus fuscipes (staphylinid rover beetle), Orius albidipennis, Labidura riparia, Creontiades pallidus, Calosoma chlorostictum and Polistes gallicus.
Impact
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S. littoralis is one of the most destructive agricultural lepidopterous pests within its subtropical and tropical range. It can attack numerous economically important crops throughout the year (
EPPO, 1997). On cotton, the pest may cause considerable damage by feeding on the leaves, fruiting points, flower buds and occasionally on bolls. When groundnuts are infested, larvae first select young folded leaves for feeding, but in severe attacks, leaves of any age are stripped off. Sometimes, even the ripening kernels in the pods in the soil may be attacked. Pods of cowpeas and the seeds they contain are also often badly damaged. In tomatoes, larvae bore into the fruit, which is thus rendered unsuitable for consumption. Numerous other crops are attacked, mainly on their leaves.
In Europe, damage caused by S. littoralis was minimal until about 1937. In 1949, there was a catastrophic population explosion in southern Spain, which affected lucerne, potatoes and other vegetable crops. At present, this noctuid is of great economic importance in Cyprus, Israel, Malta, Morocco and Spain (except the north). In Italy, it is especially important on protected crops of ornamentals and vegetables (
Inserra and Calabretta, 1985;
Nucifora, 1985). In Greece, S. littoralis causes slight damage in Crete on lucerne
and clover only.
In North Africa, tomato, Capsicum, cotton, maize and other vegetables are affected. In Egypt, it is one of the most serious cotton pests.
Detection and Inspection
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Pheromeone traps can be used to monitor the incidence of S. littoralis (
Rizk et al., 1990).
Kehat and Dunkelblum (1993) found that the minor sex pheromone component, (9Z,12Z)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate in addition to the major component (9Z,11Z)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate was required for in order to attract males.
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
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S. littoralis is often confused with S. litura, and the variability and similarity of the two species makes correct identification difficult and examination of adult genitalia is often the only certain method. For more information on morphological discrimination between the adult, pupal and larval stages of the two species, refer to Schmutterer (1969), Cayrol (1972), Mochida (1973) and Brown and Dewhurst (1975).
Although markings on larvae are variable, a bright-yellow stripe along the length of the dorsal surface is characteristic of S. litura.
On dissection of the genitalia, the ductus and ostium bursae are the same length in female S. littoralis, whereas they are different lengths in S. litura. The shape of the juxta in males in both species is very characteristic, and the ornamentation of the aedeagus vesica is also diagnostic.
An EPPO standard provides guidance for the identification of S. littoralis, S. litura, S. frugiperda and S. eridania (OEPP/EPPO, 2015).
Prevention and Control
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Biological Control
Numerous studies have been carried out on possible biological control of S. littoralis. Parasitoids (braconids, encyrtids, tachinids and ichneumonids) and predators have been extensively documented. A nuclear polyhedrosis virus has been evaluated against S. litura (Elnagar and El-Sheikh, 1990; Jones et al., 1994), whereas fungi and microsporidia have also been recorded as pathogens. Parasitic nematodes such as Neoaplectana carpocapsae have also been evaluated. However, direct use of these biocontrol agents has not been commercailized. Treatment with Bacillus thuringiensis has been used (Navon et al., 1983), but only some strains are effective as S. littoralis is resistant to many strains (Salama et al., 1989).
Chemical Control
The chemical control of S. littoralis has been extensively reported, especially in relation to cotton in Egypt. Numerous organophosphorus, synthetic pyrethroids and other insecticides have been used, with appearance of resistance and cross resistance in many cases (Issa et al., 1984a; 1984b; Abo-El-Ghar et al., 1986). However, compulsory limitation of the application of synthetic pyrethroids to one per year on cotton in Egypt has stopped the appearance of new resistance (Sawicki, 1986).
Chemicals used against species of Spodoptera also include insect growth regulators. There is interest, especially in India, in various antifeedant compounds or extracts, and in natural products, such as azadirachtin and neem extracts.
IPM
Integrated pest management techniques, favouring beneficial arthropods, are applied against S. littoralis on cotton in Egypt. These involve hand collection of egg masses, use of microbial pesticides and insect growth regulators and slow-release pheromone formulations for mating disruption. If these measures are taken, relatively few applications of conventional insecticides are necessary (Campion and Nesbitt, 1982; Hosny et al., 1983; Campion and Hosny, 1987). Damage thresholds have been established by Hosny et al. (1986). Pheromones have also been used for mass trapping using a lure and kill strategy (McVeigh and Bettany, 1987) and for monitoring populations. Souka (1980) experimented with irradiation for sterile-insect release, but this technique has not been widely applied in the field.
Phytosanitary Measures
For planting material, EPPO recommends (OEPP/EPPO, 1990) absence of the pests from the place of production during the last 3 months, or treatment of the consignment. For cut flowers, pre-export inspection is considered sufficient.
Cold storage of chrysanthemum and carnation cuttings for at least 10 days at a temperature not exceeding 1.7°C will kill all stages of S. littoralis, but may damage the plants. Storage at slightly higher temperatures or shorter durations does not eradicate S. littoralis, but differences in response to cold have been observed both between strains and within developmental stages of the pest (Powell and Gostick, 1971; Miller, 1976). Irradiation has been investigated as a treatment for cut flowers (Navon et al., 1988). For cut chrysanthemum flowers, Wang and Lin (1984) suggest enclosing buds in perforated polythene bags to exclude the pest and dipping the cut stems in insecticide solutions.
References
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===, 1981. Data sheets on quarantine organisms. EPPO list A2. Paris, France: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization.
Abo-El-Ghar MR; Nassar ME; Riskalla MR; Abd-El-Ghafar SF, 1986. Rate of development of resistance and pattern of cross-resistance in fenvalerate and decamethrin resistant strains of S. littoralis. Agricultural Research Review, 61(1):141-145
Badr NA; Moawad GM; Salem IEM, 1983. Host plant shifting affects the biology of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Mededelingen van de Faculteit Landbouwwetenschappen, Rijksuniversiteit Gent, 48(2):369-374
Baker CRB; Miller GW, 1974. Some effects of temperature and larval food on the development of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep., Noctuidae). Bulletin of Entomological Research, 63(3):495-511
Bishara I, 1934. The cotton worm Prodenia litura F. in Egypt. Bulletin de la Société Entomologique d'Egypte, 18:223-404.
Brown ES; Dewhurst CF, 1975. The genus Spodoptera (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) in Africa and the Near East. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 65(2):221-262.
Campion DG; Bettany BW; McGinnigle JB; Taylor LR, 1977. The distribution and migration of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in relation to meteorology on Cyprus, interpreted from maps of pheromone trap samples. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 67(3):501-522
Campion DG; Hosny MM, 1987. Biological, cultural and selective methods for control of cotton pests in Egypt. Insect Science and its Application, 8(4-6):803-805
Campion DG; Nesbitt F, 1982. Recent advances in the use of pheromones in developing countries with particular reference to mass-trapping for the control of the Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and mating disruption for the control of pink bollworm Pectinophora gossypiella. Les mediateurs chimiques agissant sur le comportement des insectes. Symposium international. Versailles, 16-20 novembre 1981 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique Paris France, 335-342
Cayrol RA, 1972. Famille des Noctuidae. In: Balachowsky AS, ed. Entomologie appliqué a l'agriculture. Vol. 2. Paris, France: Masson et Cie Editeurs, 1275-1614.
Cayrol RA, 1972. Famille des Noctuidae. Sous-famille des Melicleptriinae. Helicoverpa armigera Hb. In: Balachowsky AS, ed. Entomologie appliquée à l'agriculture, Vol. 2, Paris, France: Masson et Cie, 1431-1444.
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