Mythimna separata

Cosmopolitan armyworm
Ms L
Photo by Olivier Ball

In 1910 millions of these caterpillars, crossing a railway line, brought the Whanganui train to a standstill.

Family
Noctuidae
Biostatus
Adventive
Host Plant
Grass family (native and exotic).
Larva
Stripy. Feed on grasses, hence considered as pasture and cereal pests. Numbers controlled since parasitic wasp introduced.
Pupa
Pupates in soil.
Adult/Imago
Numbers sustained by immigration from Australia. Found all year. Fly at night, attracted to light.
Forewing Length
15 - 20mm
Range
NZ
Habitat
Open areas, grasslands.

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