Lawn Armyworm

Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval)
Figs. 169, 464-470, 486-488
Diagnosis. — The best character to separate S. mauritia from S. exempta is the reticulate spiracular band which lacks white or light colored spots caudad to the spiracles. Spodoptera exempta has a solid band with well defined spots caudad to the spiracles. The frons is yellowish brown contrasting to the brown head; in S. exempta the frons is dark brown and concolorous with the head. Spodoptera triturata has larger and more distinct dorsal abdominal markings that are more triangular in shape.
Description of preserved specimens. — Head: Color brown; reticulate; frons yellowish brown; cutting edge of mandible chisel-like, teeth not distinct; P2 setae closer together than PI setae; ratio ecdysial line: frons height, averages greater than 0.88. Thorax: Pronotum with dorsolateral stripe conspicuous, either solid or consisting of closely spaced spots and dashes; middorsal stripe narrower than dorsolateral stripe. Mesothorax segmental spot elongate, narrow rectangle; with lateral dark spot present (small, can be faint). Metathorax with segmental spot an elongate, narrow rectangle; white spot absent; lateral dark spot present (small, can be absent). Abdomen: Body smooth; setal pinacula minute. Middorsal stripe large, subequal to dorsolateral stripe. Segmental spots uniform in size on abdominal segments 1-8; narrow on segments 1-6, extending no more than half the distance between dorsolateral and middorsal stripe; lacking contrasting marks; spot on 8th abdominal segment subequal in size to that on mesothorax. Segment 1 with lateral dark spot present. Segments 2-6 with lateral dark spots in spiracular band present. Spiracular band reticulate; spiracular band on segments 1-6 with white or light colored spot caudal to spiracle absent. Spiracles with black border and brown center; not
stalked. Subspiracular stripe inconspicuous, concolorous below spiracular band. Crochets uniordinal; total number on one side of body less than 106 (range: 83-97; average: 90.4; n=10).
Color description. — Head brown to olive brown, darkest in a band laterad of the adfrontal and coronal sutures; frons testaceous to sordid whitish; adfrontal and coronal sutures pale; regions of ocelli and genae are irregularly testaceous. Pronotal shield brownish with 3 narrow pale yellow or white stripes. Ground color dark gray to dark green. Middorsal stripe faint, irregular, darker than dorsolateral stripe, purplish. Dorsolateral band predominantly grayish, varying in shade among different individuals. Segmental spots black. Dorsolateral stripe almost pure pale yellow to light reddish brown. Lateral band grayish with a yellow or greenish tinge. Lateral stripe often interrupted, pale. Spiracular band darker than lateral band, purplish brown to reddish. Subspiracular band pale yellowish to light reddish brown. Spiracles black, brownish internally. Venter greenish. Thoracic legs testaceous. Prolegs pale. (Fletcher 1914; Sevastopulo 1939a; Gardner 1941; Tanada & Beardsley (1958).
Plant hosts. — S. mauritia is predominantly a feeder on Poaceae and Cyperaceae. Over 40 plant hosts were found in the literature. The agriculturally important species known to be hosts include rice, millet, sugarcane, corn, sorghum, and pasture grasses. More information on host plant preferences is found in Tanada & Beardsley (1958) and Rothschild (1969). Again, caution must be used when literature citations refer to dicotyledons. Tanada & Beardsley (1958) reported no survival on tomato and tobacco (Solanaceae), but there are old records in the literature for tobacco from Mauritius (Corbett 1926).

Spodoptera mauritia (Boisduval)
Figs. 22, 24, 31, 50, 55, 126, 169-171, 235-248, 321, 351, 383, 415, 447, 464-470, 486-488, 532
Hadena mauritia Boisduval 1833: 92.
Spodoptera acronyctoides Guenee in Boisduval & Guenee
1852a: 154; Walker 1856: 187. Spodoptera acronyctiformis Guenee in Boisduval &
Guenee 1852b: 399 [An unnecessary replacement
name for Spodoptera acronyctoides Guenee]; Poole
1989: 922 [placed in synonymy]. Spodoptera filum Guenee in Boisduval & Guenee 1852a:
155; Walker 1856: 187. Spodoptera nubes Guenee in Boisduval & Guenee 1852a:
155; Walker 1856: 186; [synonymized by Hampson
1894: 248]. Prodenia infecta Walker 1856: 196; Walker 1856: 196.
Pwdenia insignata Walker 1856: 197.
Agrotis transdncta Walker 1857a: 344.
Pwdenia permunda Walker 1857b: 723.
Agrotis aliena Walker 1865a: 694.
Agrotis bisignata Walker 1865a: 702
Laphygma squalida Walker 1865a: 651.
Pwdenia venustula Walker 1865a: 654.
Agrotis submarginalis Walker 1865a: 699.
Hadena obliqua Walker 1865b: 736.
Pwdenia nubes; Cotes & Swinhoe 1888: 326; Swinhoe 1890: 227.
Hermonassa formosana Matsumura in Shiraki 1913: 509.
Euxoa ogasaivarensis Matsumura 1926: 6, pi. 1, fig. 19.
Spodoptera mauritia; Walker 1856: 186; Warren in Seitz 1914a: 321; Fletcher 1956: 215; Brown & Dewhurst 1975: 247; Holloway 1976: 12; Sugi 1982: 764; Holloway 1989: 133; Poole 1989: 924; Edwards 1996: Diagnosis. — Most similar to S. triturata, forewing ground color of S. mauritia darker and pattern less distinct. Forewing with orbicular spot oval, cream, with buff to brown center. Male genitalia with ampulla elongate, shorter than in S. triturata; coremata more triangular-shaped (compare Figs. 351 and 352). Female ventral plate of ostium bursa with distal margin straight (Fig. 447); corpus bursae round and more distinct from ductus bursae than in S. triturata (compare Figs. 415 and 416); fine dense scales on 8th segment.
Description. Adult Male. — Head: Basal segment of labial palpus cream with median patch variably mixed with black and rufous scales; black, variably mixed with brown and cream, apex cream (lightly speckled with brown); apical segment black mixed with a few cream scales. Frons with short scales cream; long scales cream to rufous; lateral spots at eye margin black; vertex cream and light brown. Antenna filiform; scape brown; flagellum brown (annulated black in basal third).
Thorax: Patagium light brown with brown scales forming indistinct basal and median bands. Tegula brown. Mesothorax brown. Underside of thorax cream. Prothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia with lateral scale tufts extending beyond first tarsal segment, rufous, fuscous, and cream, subapical spot absent; tarsal segments fuscous, proximal and apical ring cream on segment 1, apical rings on segments 2 and 5 cream, no apical rings on segments 3 and 4. Mesothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia fuscous and cream, inner spur less than twice length of outer spur;
mediolateral surface broadly devoid of scales on both spurs; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings (faint on segment 4). Meta thoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia cream, rufous, and fuscous; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings.
Forewing: Length, 12.5-15 mm; ground color gray; basal line black (indistinct); R vein not a contrasting color; basal scale patch between R and Cu veins absent; basal half circle scale patch below Cu vein absent; antemedial line black (indistinct); claviform spot absent; basal scale patch absent; gray patch covering anal cell and half of cell CuA2 absent; oblique brown mark from fifth outer marginal spot to vein CuA2 absent; curved white line from antemedial line to postmedial line absent; orbicular spot oval, cream, with buff to brown center, outlined in black; reniform spot round, black; white scales at junction of veins M3 and CuAl which can extend to orbicular spot; postmedial line black, indistinct, from just below costa to posterior margin, wavy; postmedian band with an indistinct, round, black spot along subterminal line; black scale patches in middle of cells in postmedian rrea absent; subterminal line white, indistinct; apex lacking a white patch; black trapezoidal-shaped spots along outer margin; fringe gray. Underside ground color pale gray; outer margin with black spots; reniform spot absent.
Hindiving: Ground color white; apex, outer margin, and veins with light brown scales; fringe light brown to pale gray at apex and median line, becoming white toward anal veins. Underside ground color white; costal cells C and Sc white speckled with gray scales; outer margin suffused with gray scales and with gray triangular spots in middle of cells Sc to CuAl; no spot on underside.
Abdomen: Dorsum pale gray; venter rufous; disto-lateral black spots on sternites absent; 8th tergite with spiculate patches absent on caudal margin.
Genitalia: Uncus evenly curved; wider at middle than at base; setae numerous. Scaphium weakly developed. Tegumen lacking a pair of projecting arms on upper third. Costa sinuate
at base of costa on inner edge; perpendicular to costa of valve. Cucullus apex round; not produced. Anellifer with lightly sclerotized plate bearing setae absent. Ampulla elongate, slightly curved with a decurved apex; curved toward sac
cuius; extending to well below apex of valve
minute round projection. Sacculus narrow, width less than 0.2 length, tapering distally; apex pointed. Valvula wider than valve; well differentiated from valve, apex free; apex round; indentation with base of ventral margin near apex of sacculus, slightly curved. Coremata moderately elongate, approximately 0.5 or less length of valve; composed of a single lobe. Juxta a narrow elliptical band, median process triangular-shaped, ventral margin concave. Anellus with minute granules. Vinculum U-shaped with a narrow base. Aedoeagus straight; coecum equal in diameter to shaft; patch of spines absent on apex of membranous sheath surrounding aedoeagus. Vesica curving dorsally; elongate, greater than length of aedoeagus; apicobasal cornutal patch a narrow ribbon; short, extending to just beyond apex of aedoeagus; cornuti in form of minute flat granules; lateral cornutal patch absent; dense cornutal patch absent; distal cornutus a large spine.
Adult Female. Essentially as described for male except:
Thorax: Prothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia with lateral scale tufts extending beyond first tarsal segment, fuscous and rufous, subapical spot absent; tarsal segments fuscous, proximal and apical ring cream on segment 1, apical rings on segments 2 and 5 cream, no apical rings on segments 3 and 4. Mesothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia fuscous and cream, inner spur less than twice length of outer spur, spurs completely scaled; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings. Metathoracic femur cream and rufous; tibia cream, rufous, and fuscous; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings.
Forewing: Length, 13-18 mm. White scales along R vein and bases of M and CuA veins absent.
Abdomen: Fine dense scales on 8th segment cream. Venter rufous (or cream and gray); distolateral black spots on sternites (indistinct).
Genitalia: Ventral plate of ostium bursa with height greater than width; distal margin straight; ventrolateral invaginated pocket of 8th sternite absent. Ductus bursae short (length less than twice width); completely sclerotized. Appendix bursae membranous. Corpus bursae bulbous, length less than twice width; striate convolutions. Signum in basal half of corpus bursae; moderate-
ly elongate, length between 0.66-1.1 mm; almost vertical.
Larva. — See description, p. 107.
Type material. — Hadena mauritia Boisduval. The type material was not located during this study and is considered lost. The neotype 8 [USNM, here designated] is labeled: New Caledonia; near Dumbea; black light; 22 December 1976; Gary F. Hevel. USNM ENT 00065927. The neotype is designated and labeled to ensure nomenclatural stability in this confusing group of species and is illustrated in Fig. 235. Type locality: near Dumbea, New Caledonia.
Spodoptera acronyctoides Guenee. The holotype 2 repository is unknown. Type locality: Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Spodoptera filum Guenee. The lectotype 2 [BMNH, here designated] is labeled: syntype, 60.15 EIC; Spodoptera filum [hand written]; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3819 9. The lectotype is designated to ensure nomenclatural stability in this confusing group of species and is illustrated in Fig. 239. Type locality: [probably Java, Indonesia].
Spwdoptera nubes Guenee. The lectotype 8 [BMNH, here designated] is labeled: [no locality given], syntype, 60.15 EIC; Spodoptera nubes [hand written]; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3818 8. The lectotype is designated to ensure nomenclatural stability in this confusing group of species and is illustrated in Fig. 242. Type locality: [probably Java, Indonesia].
Prodenia infect a Walker. The holotype 2 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype , N. India, L. James, 43-10; Prodenia infect a; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3820 2 . Type locality: [Northern] India .
Prodenia insignata Walker. The holotype 8 is deposited in BMNH. Type locality: India (Northern).
Agrotis transducta Walker. The holotype 9 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Ceylon, Templeton, 52-62; 91., Agrotis transducta; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3822 $ . Type locality: Sri Lanka.
Prodenia permunda Walker. The holotype 8 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Siam, J.C. Bowring, 56-113; Prodenia permunda; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3823 8. Type locality: Thailand.
Agrotis aliena Walker. The holotype 9 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Mauritius, 57-140. Type locality: Mauritius.
Agrotis bisignata Walker. The holotype 2
[BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Queensland, Moreton B., Diggles, 59-105; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3827 9 . Type locality: Moreton Bay Queensland, Australia.
Laphygma squalida Walker. The holotype 6 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, N. India, L. James, 43-10; Laphygma squalida; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3824 8. Type locality: Northern India.
Prodenia venustula Walker. The holotype 8 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, S. India, Coimbatoor, M.T Walhouse, 61-20; Prodenia venustula; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3825 8 . Type locality: Coimbatoor, S. India.
Agrotis submarginalis Walker. The holotype 9 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Java, Horsfield; Agrotis submarginalis; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3826 9 . Type locality: Java, Indonesia.
Hadena obliqua Walker. The holotype 8 [BMNH] is labeled: Holotype, Shanghai, 58-60; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3828 8 . Type locality: Shanghai, China.
Hermonassa formosana Matsumura. The type repository is unknown. Type locality: Taiwan.
Enxoa ogasawarensis Matsumura. The syntypes: 1 8,2 9, in Entomological Institute, Hokkaido University, Sapporo. Type locality: Bonin Islands, Ogasawarajima, Japan.
Material Examined. — Specimens were examined from the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Bahrain, Burma, Christmas Islands, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoro Islands, Cook Islands, Easter Island, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldive Islands, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Marianas, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Island, Reunion, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, United States (Hawaii), Vanuatu, Western Samoa.
Distribution (Fig. 532). — Spodoptera mauritia is widely distributed in southern Asia, Australasia, and throughout the Pacific to Hawaii. It occurs in Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Its African distribution is limited to Kenya and Tanzania (Brown & Dewhurst 1975) and from Nigeria and South Africa.

Spodoptera mauritia, the lawn armyworm or paddy swarming caterpillar, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1833. Able to eat many types of food, it is a major pest throughout the world.