common name: southern armyworm scientific name: Spodoptera
eridania (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Distribution
- Description and Life Cycle - Host Plants - Damage - Natural
Enemies - Management - Selected References The southern
armyworm, Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), is native to the American
tropics, occurring widely in Central and South America and the
Caribbean. In the United States, the southern armyworm is found
principally in the southeastern states; its range extends as far
west as Kansas and New Mexico. It also is reported from
California, but is of no consequence there. The number of
generations is estimated at four annually in Florida. In
northern Florida moths can be found throughout the year,
withstanding several days of freezing weather (Mitchell and
Tumlinson 1994). About 30 to 40 days is required for a complete
generation. Eggs: The shape of the eggs is a flattened sphere.
Eggs measure about 0.45 m in diameter and 0.35 mm in height. The
eggs are greenish initially, turning tan as th