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Damage by beet armyworm
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A.M. Varela, icipe
Is this a Minor Pest?
Yes
Minor Pest Title
Leaf-feeding caterpillars
Minor Pest Description
Leaf-feeding caterpillars such as the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis), the beet armyworm (S. exigua) and thetomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites) are generally of minor economic importance, but serious outbreaks occasionally occur. In particular, S. littoralis often causes extensive damage to soybeans.
The bean webworm(Lamprosema indicata) feeds on leaves, which are spooned together, causing characteristic windowing as the upper epidermis of leaves remain untouched. This caterpillar may cause considerable damage in soybeans. Natural enemies are important to keep populations at low level.
Minor Pest What to do.
- Conserve natural enemies. Caterpillars have a wide range of natural enemies (parasitic wasps, predators and pathogens) that are important in their natural control.
- Monitor the crop regularly.
- Hand pick eggs and caterpillars.
- Use botanicals (e. g. neem extracts) and biopesticides (e.g. Bt).
Minor Pest Position
4
Minor Pest Firstcontent
137
Pest Type
nematodes (Pests)
Host Plants
Soybean
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