Tiracola plagiata

Tiracola plagiata (Walker, 1857)
(one synonym : Agrotis plagifera)
Cacao Armyworm
HADENINAE, NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Ian F.B. Common & Stella Crossley

(updated 21 January 2008)

These Caterpillars are smooth and black, with yellow patches on the sides of the abdomen near the front and the back. They are an international pest, attacking fruit, particularly:

Banana ( Musa acuminata, MUSACEAE ),

and they also feed on other agricultural crops and weeds, including :

Yam ( Dioscorea species, DIOSCOREACEAE ),

Striped Cucumber ( Diplocyclos palmatus, CUCURBITACEAE ),

Red Cedar ( Toona australis, MELIACEAE ),

Gum Tree young sucker growth ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

Purslane ( Portulaca oleracea, PORTULACACEAE ),

Inkweed ( Phytolacca octandra, PHYTOLACCACEAE ), and

Tomatillo ( Physalis ixocarpa, SOLANACEAE ).

Norfolk Island, 1976

The adult moths are brown, with a light and dark pattern on the fore wings. They have a wingspan of about 6 cms.

This species may be found from south-east Asia to the south pacific islands, including the northern two-thirds of Australia.