Egyptian cotton leafworm
Egyptian cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) occurs in the southern parts of Europe, in Arica and the Middle East. It is one of the most destructive polyphagous pest species of world-wide economic importance.
The larvae of cotton leafworm can attack numerous economically important crops throughout the year. While young larvae cause “windows” in the leaves, older caterpillars can completely defoliate plants if present in large numbers.
Affected crops are
| • | lettuce | • | cabbage | • | pea | • | tea |
| • | spinach | • | cowpea | • | rice | • | tobacco |
| • | tomato | • | gourds | • | soya bean | • | wheat |
| • | potato | • | maize | • | sugar cane | • | and many others |
| • | cotton | • | melon | • | sugar | ||
| • | alfalfa | • | onion | • | beet |