Chrysodeixis chalcites

Chrysodeixis chalcites
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Chrysodeixis
Species:
C. chalcites
Binomial name
Chrysodeixis chalcites
(Esper, 1789)
Synonyms
  • Phalaena-Noctua chalcites Esper, 1789
  • Plusia verticillata
  • Plusia chalcites
  • Phytometra chalcytes
  • Autographa chalcites

Chrysodeixis chalcites, the tomato looper or golden twin-spot moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae, subfamily Plusiinae. It mainly lives in southern Europe, the Levant and tropical Africa, but can be seen migrating across much of Europe. In 2013, it was spotted in Canada.[1] It is an important horticultural pest in New Zealand.[2]

The length of the forewings is 15–18 mm. The moth flies from June to October.[1]

The larvae feed on various herbaceous plants, such as Echium vulgare, Apium, Rubus, tomato, Fragaria and tobacco[3] which is why it is perceived as a pest.

Chrysodeixis chalcites and Chrysodeixis eriosoma moths cannot be separated morphologically and they may be sibling species. They are distinguished by DNA, pheromones and geographic origin, as C. chalcites is found in the palearctic and C. eriosoma in the tropics and subtropics. The literature referring to C. chalcites in southern and eastern Asia or Oceania may actually refer to C. eriosoma.[4]

  • Larva
    Larva
  1. ^ Murillo, H.; Hunt, D.W.A.; VanLaerhoven, S.L. (2013). "First records of Chrysodeixis chalcites (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Plusiinae) for east-central Canada". The Canadian Entomologist. 145 (3): 338–342. doi:10.4039/tce.2012.106. S2CID 86243219.
  2. ^ L. I. N. Roberts (January 1979). "Biology of Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in New Zealand" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist. 7 (1): 52–58. doi:10.1080/00779962.1979.9722331. ISSN 0077-9962. Wikidata Q105739559. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013.
  3. ^ "Flora of Zimbabwe: Lepidoptera - Butterflies and Moths: Chrysodeixis chalcites".
  4. ^ "The Food and Environment Research Agency – Rapid Pest Risk Analysis for Chrysodeixis chalcites".