African Armyworm Moth
Common NameAfrican Armyworm Moth
Scientific NameSpodoptera exempta
FamilyNoctuidae
SubfamilyNoctuinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, grey, black
HabitatGrasslands, savannas, agricultural fields (especially cereal crops)
Geographic RangeSub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, parts of Asia (e.g., India, Sri Lanka), Australia
Host Plantsmaize, rice, wheat, sorghum, millet, sugarcane, pasture grasses
Flight PeriodYear-round (continuous breeding in tropical regions, migratory)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay eggs in clusters. Larvae, known as armyworms, are highly destructive and gregarious, marching in large numbers. Pupation occurs in the soil, and development is rapid.
Identification TipsAdults have mottled brown/grey forewings with characteristic dark reniform and orbicular spots. Larvae are dark armyworms with longitudinal stripes, often seen in large aggregations.
Description
A medium-sized moth with mottled brown and grey forewings, featuring indistinct darker spots and a cryptic pattern. The hindwings are typically paler, often whitish with darker veins.
