The noctuids
Identification :
The aerial organs of cauliflower are susceptible to being devoured by the caterpillar stage of several polyphagous Lepidoptera. These insects belong to various families, in particular the Noctuidae. Among these are Autographa gamma (L.), Chrysodeixis chalcites (Esper), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) et Spodoptera exigua (Hübner).
Biology :
- These insects have 4 stages of development: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and adult (butterfly).
- The eggs, transparent, white, black brown, mauve, etc … have a diameter < 1mm and deposited individually or in groups.
- The caterpillars measure 25 to 50 mm depending on the species and vary in color (green, sometimes turning brown to reddish with age).
- The pupae measure from 2 to 2.8 cm.
- The adults are butterflies with 2 pairs of wings and whose wingspan varies from 25 to 45 mm.
- The duration of their cycle varies depending on the temperature, from ten days to several weeks. The caterpillars are mobile and move easily from one leaflet to another like the adults who do so more easily.
Control :
- AVAUNT 150EC at a dose of 25 ml / hl.
