Turnip Moth

Taxobox
name = Turnip Moth

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image_caption = Adult moth
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Noctuidae
genus = "Agrotis"
species = "A. segetum"
binomial = "Agrotis segetum"
binomial_authority = Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775The Turnip Moth ("Agrotis segetum") is a moth of the family Noctuidae. It is a common European species.

This is a very variable species with the forewings ranging from pale buff through to almost black. The paler forms have three dark-bordered stigmata on each forewing. The main feature distinguishing it from other "Agrotis" species is the very pale hindwings, pure white in the males, pearly grey in the females. The wingspan is 32-42 mm. Two broods are produced each year, the adults flying in May and June and again in August and September ["The flight season refers to the British Isles. This may vary in other parts of the range."] . The species flies at night and is attracted to light and nectar-rich flowers. The species overwinters as a caterpillar.

The grey larva, sometimes tinged with purple, feeds on the roots and lower stems of a huge range of plants (see list below) and can be a serious pest of root vegetables and cereals. The insect is not believed to be present in the United States, where the government has been making efforts to prevent its introduction on imported food crops [ [http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/content/2006/05/kopepper.shtml USDA - APHIS :: APHIS Newsroom ] ] . A virus is being tested as a biocontrol on crops in Europe [ [http://www.springerlink.com/content/p3688uw760416372/ SpringerLink - Journal Article ] ] .

Recorded host plants

*"Acacia"
*"Allium"
*"Apium" - Celery
*"Arachis" - Peanut
*"Asparagus"
*"Beta" - Beet
*"Brassica"
*"Camellia"
*"Casuarina"
*"Cedrus" - Deodar Cedar
*"Chrysanthemum"
*"Cichorium" - Chicory
*"Coffea" - Coffee
*"Cucurbita"
*"Eucalyptus"
*"Fragaria" - Strawberry
*"Glycine" - Soybean
*"Gossypium" - Cotton plant
*"Hagenia"
*"Helianthus" - Sunflower
*"Hibiscus" - Bissap
*"Indigofera"
*"Lactuca"
*"Lycopersicon" - Tomato
*"Malus" - Apple
*"Medicago" - Alfalfa
*"Nicotiana" - Tobacco
*"Picea" - Sitka Spruce
*"Pinus" - Pine
*"Pisum" - Pea
*"Pseudotsuga" - Douglas-fir
*"Rheum" - Rhubarb
*"Rumex"
*"Saccharum" - Sugar cane
*"Secale" - Rye
*"Sesamum" - Sesame
*"Solanum" - Potato
*"Sorghum"
*"Spinacia" - Spinach
*"Tectona" - Teak
*"Trifolium" - Clover
*"Triticum" - Wheat
*"Vigna" - urad bean
*"Vitis" - Grape
*"Zea" - Maize

References

*Chinery, Michael "Collins Guide to the Insects of Britain and Western Europe" 1986 (Reprinted 1991)
*Skinner, Bernard "Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles" 1984