Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Hexapoda Order Lepidoptera Scientific name Heliothis punctifera | Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Family Noctuidae Rank Species | |
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Similar Australothis rubrescens, Heliothis ononis, Heliothis phloxiphaga, Heliothis nubigera | ||
The lesser budworm (Heliothis punctifera) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
The moths can occur in huge numbers when migrating within the country. In November 2005, this species caused a panic at Murray Downs Golf Club near Swan Hill, when swarms of them invaded the course and clubhouse. The walls, ceiling and floor of the clubhouse were covered with resting moths.
The lesser budworm's wingspan is about 30 mm. Its larvae feed on plant species of the Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae families and a number of other agricultural crops. It is considered a pest on alfalfa, Mexican cotton and wheat.
References
Heliothis punctifera Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA