Noctuid Moths (Cutworms/Armyworms)
Nocturnal moths whose caterpillars turn your garden into a night buffet!
Physical characteristics
Noctuid moths are medium-sized nocturnal moths with a wingspan of 30-50 mm. Forewings are usually dark, with complex patterns, while hindwings are lighter. Caterpillars are hairless, with various colors and patterns depending on the species.
Biology and behavior
Adults fly at night and are attracted to light. Females lay eggs singly or in groups on plants. Caterpillars feed intensively, often at night, and can consume large amounts of plant matter. Some species migrate long distances.
Harm
Caterpillars cause serious damage to various crops, including vegetables, fruits, and field crops. They chew leaves, stems, fruits, and even roots. Some species, like the cotton bollworm, can destroy entire harvests during mass outbreaks.
What you can do
Regularly inspect plants for eggs and young caterpillars. Use pheromone traps to monitor adults. Encourage natural enemies like birds and parasitic wasps. Manually collect caterpillars in small gardens. Use biological preparations based on Bacillus thuringiensis to control young caterpillars.
Professional control
Our approach includes integrated pest management. We conduct monitoring with pheromone and light traps. We apply targeted insecticide treatments during critical phases of crop development. We use selective products that are less harmful to beneficial insects. We offer biological control strategies, including the use of Trichogramma to parasitize eggs. We develop personalized prevention and control programs tailored to specific crops and conditions.