Egyptian Cottonworm
Spodoptera littoralis
Photo by O. Heikinheimo, Bugwood.org
Survey Information
The Egyptian Cottonworm (Spodoptera littoralis) will feed on various plants and plant parts. Larvae generally do most of the damage, stripping plants of leaves while feeding. Economically important plant hosts in Wyoming include beets, potatoes, beans, and cereal crops. They Egyptian Cottonworm has been intercepted at US ports, but is not known to be established in the United States at this time.
The Wyoming Egyptian Cottonworm portion of the Small Grain Commodity Survey is conducted by the Wyoming Pest Detection / CAPS program. A plastic bucket trap with pheromone attractant is placed on or near the host plant from late May through August. The Egyptian Cottonworm adult traps are monitored for suspects and serviced once a month. If suspects are found, they are sent to the University of Wyoming for further identification.
