Wingspan of 20-25 mm. Forewings yellow-green and sometimes brown with diagonal green stripe. Hindwings dull white with brown subterminal line.
Larvae
Length of final instar reaches 13-18 mm. Body initially grey and later blue-grey with yellow spots. Small tubercules on dorsum bear short hairs. Head dark and shiny.
Eggs
Spherical, bluish-green, 0.5 mm in diameter. Typically laid on young bolls, shoot tips and buds.
Distribution
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, southern Asia.
Economic Host(s)
Cotton (Gossypium), rice (Oryza), sugarcane (Saccharum) and maize (Zea)
Symptons/Signs
Larvae bore into terminal buds to feed on soft growing stages. Extensive tunnelling results in wilting of the top leaves and collapse of the top of main stems. Stem
apexes turn black and die. Buds and flowers wither and drop. Conspicuous holes are present where the larvae entered.
Generations
Up to 6
Monitoring
Adults Present
All year round in Mediterranean region
Recommended Trap Density
1-2 traps per hectare in large uniform crop stands and 3-4 traps per hectare in less dense mixed crop stands.
Trap Maintenance
Check traps on a regular basis; at least twice a week. It is recommended to replace the pheromone dispensers every 4 weeks to achieve optimum results.
Storage
Keep product away from heat and direct sunlight. Store in a refrigerator for a shelf life of 6 months or a freezer for an extended life of 12 months. Always store sealed in
original packaging.
