×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Fall Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera frugiperda)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Fall Armyworm Moth


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/1
Image Credit: Arch Baker
Full-sized image of the Fall-Armyworm-Moth Thumbnail image of the Fall-Armyworm-Moth

Variations in color coupled with sexual dimorphism mean a handful of Fall Armyworm Moths can line up, and none of them are identical.



Updated: 01/03/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
The male and female moth for this species look different from each other. The female is more gray than brown. The male is more brown than gray. Both have bean-shaped reniform spots on the lower part of the forewing. A short, pale line may be present above this spot, but it does not pass beyond the major vein on the outer edge. An elliptical or tight oval ring or spot is on the upper part of the forewing. It may be filled in with white, orange, or brown coloring. Besides the distinct spots and lines, females tend to be uniform in color, but males can have mottled white, brown, gray, and orange patches all over. This makes it difficult to recognize it unless one is familiar with this species' variations.

The Fall Armyworm, its caterpillar, is a notorious pest. It eats a variety of grasses and crop plants, which means it ruins turf and food production. Peanut, rice, soybean, sugarcane, alfalfa, cotton, and corn are some of the victims of the Fall Armyworm's feasting. Many generations can be produced in one year, so an area can be defoliated over the course of a season. There are many instars to this caterpillar and its appearance changes. One instar has an orange head, a black upper body with yellow lines and specks, and a yellow belly. Another is green with a black head. It can also appear brown with a lighter, yellow stripe on the 'back' that is dotted with dark spots, each growing a short black hair.

This caterpillar is active from late summer through the fall season in the north, but it is active year-round in the southern part of its range. Moths migrate north when the weather warms and help establish populations there. Look for clusters of white or pale yellow eggs covered with fuzz on the underside of leaves. Planting early in the season allows a crop to get harvested before the caterpillars are in force. Chemical and biological controls are commonly implemented to manage infestations when they occur.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Patterned insect icon
Striped or banded insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Noctuidae
View More
          Genus: Spodoptera
View More
            Species: frugiperda

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Spodoptera frugiperda
Category: Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 16mm to 19mm (0.62" to 0.74")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: brown; tan; black gray
Descriptors: oval spot; ring; bean-shaped; dash; line; flying; multicolored; sexually dimorphic; mottled


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 16mm (0.6in) and 19mm (0.7in)
Lo: 16mm
Md: 17.5mm
Hi: 19mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Fall Armyworm Moth may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Fall Armyworm Moth. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede JoroSpider.org

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)