{"id":2383,"date":"2016-08-04T12:40:43","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T19:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2383"},"modified":"2022-05-16T10:11:41","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T17:11:41","slug":"spodoptera-eridania-stoll-southern-armyworm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=2383","title":{"rendered":"Spodoptera eridania (Stoll): Southern Armyworm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"southern-armyworm-1263059-photo-by-Central-Science-Laboratory-bugwood\"<\/a>
\nCalifornia Pest Rating for<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Spodoptera eridania<\/em><\/strong> (Stoll): Southern Armyworm<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Lepidoptera: Noctuidae<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\n
PEST RATING PROFILE<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Initiating Event: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Researchers recently applied for a USDA permit to import 60,000 eggs and larvae of Spodoptera eridania<\/em> into California for field research.\u00a0 Florida reports that this moth is already found in California and of no consequence here1<\/sup>.\u00a0 A pest rating proposal is required to support the current pest rating.<\/p>\n

History & Status:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Background<\/u><\/strong>:\u00a0 Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is a polyphagous noctuid moth that feeds on the foliage, fruit, and flowers of a variety of plants1,2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Adults and larvae are nocturnal.\u00a0 Young larvae typically feed in groups on the undersides of leaves.\u00a0 They often skeletonize leaves and can occasionally defoliate entire plants1,2<\/sup>.\u00a0 As they mature they become solitary and readily bore into fruit1<\/sup>.\u00a0 If food is scarce they will consume branches, stem tissue, and tubers near the surface of the soil1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Agricultural crops that are damaged by the moth include avocado, beet, cabbage, carrot, citrus, collard, cowpea, eggplant, okra, peanut, pepper, potato, sunflower, sweet potato, tobacco, velvet bean, watermelon, and many ornamentals1<\/sup>.\u00a0 The caterpillars also feed on many weeds but show a preference for pigweed (Amaranthus<\/em> spp.) and pokeweed (Phytolacca americana<\/em>)1<\/sup>.\u00a0 Populations of the caterpillars sometimes build up in weedy areas then migrate to adjacent crops after favored weeds are consumed1<\/sup>.\u00a0 The moth typically pupates in soil.\u00a0 Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is commonly intercepted in Europe on plants and tomato fruit2<\/sup>.\u00a0 The moth is also a popular organism for research because it is easy to rear2<\/sup> and has the potential to be spread long distances by researchers.<\/p>\n

Worldwide Distribution<\/u>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is native to North, Central, and South America including the eastern United States as far north as Massachusets and as west as Texas1,2<\/sup>.\u00a0 The only place it is known to have invaded is the Galapagos Islands2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Official Control<\/u>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is listed as a harmful organism by Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom3<\/sup>.\u00a0 The moth is listed as an A1 quarantine pest by the EPPO2<\/sup>.\u00a0 In addition, all species of Spodoptera<\/em> are listed as harmful organisms by Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Japan, and Panama3<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

California Distribution<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> has never been found in the environment of California.<\/p>\n

California Interceptions<\/u>:\u00a0<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> has only been intercepted four times by CDFA on bell peppers, cilantro, tree fern, and Asparagus sperengeri<\/em> from Florida.\u00a0 There have been 859 interceptions identified as Spodoptera<\/em> sp.\u00a0 Some of these interceptions could also be Spodoptera eridania<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The risk Spodoptera eridania<\/em> (southern armyworm) would pose to California is evaluated below.<\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction:\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h5>\n

1) Climate\/Host Interaction<\/span>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is widespread across regions with a wide variety of climates. Southern armyworm would be likely to establish a widespread distribution in California and receives a High (3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate if the pest would have suitable hosts and climate to establish in California.\u00a0 Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> Not likely to establish in California; or likely to establish in very limited areas.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> may be able to establish in a larger but limited part of California.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> likely to establish a widespread distribution in California.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Known Pest Host Range<\/span>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is a generalist feeder on a wide variety of plants and receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the host range of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> has a very limited host range.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has a moderate host range.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has a wide host range.<\/span><\/p>\n

3) Pest Dispersal Potential:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> can complete a generation every 30-40 days under favorable conditions and each female lays a large number of eggs.\u00a0 Adult moths may disperse locally by flying and caterpillars may crawl in large numbers to areas with better host plants.\u00a0 Southern armyworm may also be transported long distances on infested plants or fresh plant parts or by scientists.\u00a0 It receives a High (3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the natural and artificial dispersal potential of the pest. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> does not have high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> has either high reproductive or dispersal potential.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> has both high reproduction and dispersal potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) Economic Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Although it is usually only a minor pest, southern armyworm does sometimes have damaging infestations to crops, especially tomatoes2<\/sup>.\u00a0 Southern armyworm caterpillars may disfigure nursery stock with feeding damage and pupate in the associated soil, reducing the value of nursery stock.\u00a0 Infestations do sometimes trigger treatments, which increase crop production costs.\u00a0 Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is listed as a harmful organism and quarantine pest by many nations and has the potential to disrupt markets for California\u2019s fresh fruit and nursery stock.\u00a0 Southern armyworm receives a High (3)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the economic impact of the pest to California using the criteria below. Score:<\/p>\n

A<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could lower crop yield.<\/span><\/p>\n

B<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could lower crop value (includes increasing crop production costs).<\/span><\/p>\n

C<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could trigger the loss of markets (includes quarantines).<\/span><\/p>\n

D. \u00a0The pest could negatively change normal cultural practices.<\/p>\n

E. \u00a0The pest can vector, or is vectored, by another pestiferous organism.<\/p>\n

F. \u00a0The organism is injurious or poisonous to agriculturally important animals.<\/p>\n

G. \u00a0The organism can interfere with the delivery or supply of water for agricultural uses.<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes 0 or 1 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes 2 of these impacts.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes 3 or more of these impacts.<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Environmental Impact<\/span>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> is not expected to lower biodiversity, disrupt natural communities, or change ecosystem processes.\u00a0 It is not expected to affect threatened or endangered species or disrupt critical habitats.\u00a0 It may trigger new treatment programs in agriculture and by residents.\u00a0 It may also significantly affect many plants that are popular in home\/urban gardens and ornamentals.\u00a0 Southern armyworm receives a High (3)<\/strong><\/span> in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the environmental impact of the pest on California using the criteria below.<\/p>\n

A. \u00a0The pest could have a significant environmental impact such as lowering biodiversity, disrupting natural communities, or changing ecosystem processes.<\/p>\n

B. \u00a0The pest could directly affect threatened or endangered species.<\/p>\n

C. \u00a0The pest could impact threatened or endangered species by disrupting critical habitats.<\/p>\n

D<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest could trigger additional official or private treatment programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

E<\/strong>. \u00a0The pest significantly impacts cultural practices, home\/urban gardening or ornamental plantings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Score the pest for Environmental Impact. Score:<\/p>\n

– Low (1)<\/strong> causes none of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– Medium (2)<\/strong> causes one of the above to occur.<\/p>\n

– High (3)<\/strong> causes two or more of the above to occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction to California for Spodoptera eridania<\/em> (Southern Armyworm): High (15)<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

Add up the total score and include it here.<\/p>\n

–Low<\/strong> = 5-8 points<\/p>\n

–Medium<\/strong> = 9-12 points<\/p>\n

–High<\/strong> = 13-15 points<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Post Entry Distribution and Survey Information<\/span>:<\/strong> Spodoptera eridania<\/em> has never been found in California and receives a Not established (0)<\/strong> <\/span>in this category.<\/p>\n

Evaluate the known distribution in California. Only official records identified by a taxonomic expert and supported by voucher specimens deposited in natural history collections should be considered. Pest incursions that have been eradicated, are under eradication, or have been delimited with no further detections should not be included.<\/p>\n

–Not established (0)<\/strong> Pest never detected in California, or known only from incursions.<\/span><\/p>\n

–Low (-1)<\/strong> Pest has a localized distribution in California, or is established in one suitable climate\/host area (region).<\/p>\n

–Medium (-2)<\/strong> Pest is widespread in California but not fully established in the endangered area, or pest established in two contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

–High (-3)<\/strong> Pest has fully established in the endangered area, or pest is reported in more than two contiguous or non-contiguous suitable climate\/host areas.<\/p>\n

Final Score:<\/h5>\n

The final score is the consequences of introduction score minus the post entry distribution and survey information score: High (15) <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Uncertainty: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Unidentified life stages of Spodoptera<\/em> are frequently intercepted by CDFA.\u00a0 Presumably they go undetected at other times and enter the state.\u00a0 There have not been any recent formal surveys for Spodoptera eridania<\/em> in California and it could be established in some localities.<\/p>\n

Conclusion and Rating Justification: <\/strong><\/h5>\n

Spodoptera eridania<\/em> has not been found in California and it is likely to have significant economic and environmental impacts if it were to establish in the state.\u00a0 An \u201cA\u201d rating is justified.<\/p>\n

References:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1<\/sup> Capinera, John L. 2014. University of Florida Featured Creatures. Common name: southern armyworm. http:\/\/entnemdept.ufl.edu\/creatures\/veg\/leaf\/southern_armyworm.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

2<\/sup> EPPO Data Sheets on Quarantine Pests: Spodoptera eridania<\/em>. http:\/\/www.eppo.int\/QUARANTINE\/insects\/Spodoptera_eridania\/PRODER_ds.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> USDA Phytosanitary Certificate Issuance & Tracking System (PCIT) Phytosanitary Export Database (PExD).\u00a0 https:\/\/pcit.aphis.usda.gov\/pcit\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
Responsible Party:<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Jason Leathers, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, (916) 654-1211, plant.health[@]cdfa.ca.gov.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment Format:<\/h5>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments should refer to the appropriate California Pest Rating Proposal Form subsection(s)\u00a0being commented on, as shown below.<\/p>\n

Example Comment<\/span>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Consequences of Introduction: \u00a01. Climate\/Host Interaction:\u00a0[Your comment that relates to \u201cClimate\/Host Interaction\u201d here.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments will not be able to be viewed immediately.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may not be posted if they:<\/p>\n

Contain inappropriate language which is not germane to\u00a0the pest rating proposal;<\/p>\n

Contains defamatory, false, inaccurate, abusive, obscene, pornographic,\u00a0sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, discriminatory or illegal\u00a0material;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting sexual harassment or other forms\u00a0of discrimination;<\/p>\n

Violates agency regulations prohibiting workplace violence, including threats.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Comments may be edited prior to posting to ensure they are entirely germane.<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u00a0Posted comments shall be those which have been approved in content and posted to the\u00a0website to be viewed, not just submitted.<\/p>\n

\n

Pest Rating: A<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n

Posted by ls<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

California Pest Rating for Spodoptera eridania (Stoll): Southern Armyworm Lepidoptera: Noctuidae Pest Rating: A PEST RATING PROFILE Initiating Event: Researchers recently applied for a USDA permit to import 60,000 eggs and larvae of Spodoptera eridania into California for field research.\u00a0 Florida reports that this moth is already found in California and of no consequence here1.\u00a0 … Continue reading Spodoptera eridania (Stoll): Southern Armyworm<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5,23],"tags":[52,287,384],"class_list":["post-2383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entomology","category-lepidoptera","tag-insects-and-mites","tag-lepidoptera","tag-spodoptera-eridania"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5l8vQ-Cr","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6473,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/Section3162\/?p=6473","url_meta":{"origin":2383,"position":0},"title":"Arcola malloi (Pastrana): Alligatorweed stem borer moth","author":"Kyle Beucke","date":"September 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"California Pest Rating for Arcola malloi (Pastrana): Alligatorweed stem borer moth Lepidoptera: PyralidaePest Rating: D download pest rating *NOTE: You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. 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