Spodoptera littoralis
(cotton leafworm)

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Identity

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Preferred Scientific Name

• Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval)

Preferred Common Name

• cotton leafworm

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

Top of page 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

Top of page 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

Top of page 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.

Last updated: 23 Apr 2020

Risk of Introduction

Top of page 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.

Habitat List

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Category	Sub-Category	Habitat	Presence	Status
Terrestrial

Hosts/Species Affected

Top of page 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).

Host Plants and Other Plants Affected

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Growth Stages

Top of page Flowering stage, Fruiting stage, Seedling stage, Vegetative growing stage

Symptoms

Top of page 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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Biology and Ecology

Top of page 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).

Natural enemies

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Notes on Natural Enemies

Top of page 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

Top of page 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

Top of page 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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Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.

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

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Delvare G, Rasplus JY, 1994. Spodophagus, a new genus of Pteromalidae (Hymenoptera), for an important parasite of Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Madagascar. Bulletin of Entomological Research, 84(2):191-197

Dimetry NZ, 1972. Further studies on the host plant preference of Spodoptera littoralis Boisd. (Lepid., Noctuidae). Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie, 71(4):350-355

Elnagar S, El-Sheikh MA, 1990. Baculovirus, as a promising biocontrol element in the pest management of the cotton leafworm in Egypt. Integrated Pest Management in Tropical and Subtropical Cropping Systems '89, held on 8-15 February 1989 in Bad Durkheim, Germany Frankfurt, Germany; Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft, 669-683

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Hegazi EM, Hammad SM, El-Minshawy AM, 1977. Field and laboratory observations on the parasitoids of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lep.: Noctuidae) in Alexandria. Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie, 84(3):316-321

Holloway JD, 1989. The moths of Borneo: family Noctuidae, trifine subfamilies: Noctuinae, Heliothinae, Hadeninae, Acronictinae, Amphipyrinae, Agaristinae. Malayan Nature Journal, 42(2-3):57-228

Hosny MM, Saadany G, Iss-Hak R, Nasr EA, Moawad G, Naguib M, Khidr AA, Elnagar SH, Campion DG, Critchley BR, Jones K, McKinley DJ, McVeigh LJ, Topper CP, 1983. Techniques for the control of cotton pests in Egypt to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides. 10th International Congress of Plant Protection 1983. Volume 1. Proceedings of a conference held at Brighton, England, 20-25 November, 1983. Plant protection for human welfare British Crop Protection Council Croydon UK, 270

Hosny MM, Topper CP, Moawad GM, El-Saadany GB, 1986. Economic damage thresholds of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on cotton in Egypt. Crop Protection, 5(2):100-104

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Navon A, Wysoki M, Keren S, 1983. Potency and effect of Bacillus thuringiensis preparations against larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and Boarmia (Ascotis) selenaria.. Phytoparasitica, 11(1):3-11; [1 fig.]; 10 ref

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Wang CL, Lin RT, 1984. Study on the quarantine treatments of insect pests on chrysanthemum cut flowers the application of protection bags and the improved dipping methods. Journal of Agricultural Research of China, 33(3):325-330

Williams EC, Walters KFA, 1996. Strategic incorporation of biocontrol agents for managing alien insect pests. Brighton Crop Protection Conference: Pests & Diseases - 1996: Volume 3: Proceedings of an International Conference, Brighton, UK, 18-21 November 1996., 1071-1076; 14 ref

Zoebelein G, 1977. Practical experiences gained during twelve years of crop protection trials work in the Middle East and North Africa. Fourth report. The influence of different host plants on the development of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) and on its response to insecticides. Pflanzenschutz-Nachrichten Bayer, 30(2):164-212

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Distribution References

CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI

EPPO, 2020. EPPO Global database. In: EPPO Global database, Paris, France: EPPO.

IPPC, 2013. Spodoptera littoralis absent in Denmark. In: IPPC Official Pest Report, No. DNK-09/1, Rome, Italy: FAO. https://www.ippc.int/

NPPO of the Netherlands, 2013. Pest status of harmful organisms in the Netherlands., Wageningen, Netherlands:

UK, CAB International, 1967. Spodoptera littoralis. [Distribution map]. In: Distribution Maps of Plant Pests, Wallingford, UK: CAB International. Map 232.

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