Peridroma saucia

Peridroma saucia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Peridroma
Species:
P. saucia
Binomial name
Peridroma saucia
(Hübner, 1808)
Synonyms
  • Noctua saucia Hübner, [1808]
  • Noctua polygona Borkhausen, 1792 (preocc.)
  • Noctua majuscula (Haworth, 1809)
  • Noctua margaritosa Haworth, 1809
  • Noctua aequa Hübner, [1813]
  • Noctua orophila Geyer, 1837
  • Agrotis inermis Harris, 1841
  • Spaelotis stictica Blanchard, 1852
  • Spaelotis infuscata (Blanchard, 1852)
  • Agrotis impacta Walker, [1857]
  • Agrotis intecta (Walker, [1857])
  • Agrotis ambrosioides Walker, 1857
  • Agrotis angulifera (Wallengren, 1860)
  • Agrotis ortonii Packard, 1869
  • Agrotis nigrocosta Tutt, 1892
  • Agrotis ochreacosta Tutt, 1892
  • Agrotis rufa Tutt, 1892
  • Agrotis brunnea Tutt, 1892
  • Agrotis philippsi Casparai, 1899
  • Agrotis ochronota (Hampson, 1903)
  • Agrotis cyrnaea Spuler, 1908
  • Agrotis fuscobrunnea (Strand, 1915)
  • Agrotis decolor Rebel, 1916
  • Agrotis tenebricosa Schawerda, 1929
  • Agrotis juncta Lempke, 1962
  • Agrotis saucia
  • Euxoa brunnea

Peridroma saucia, the pearly underwing or variegated cutworm, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1808. It is found in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.[1] The variegated cutworm feeds on many plants, especially common fruits and vegetables. The moth undergoes two to four generations per year. The development of the moth slows in colder temperatures, indicative of its migratory nature. All stages of the life cycle have a developmental threshold for temperature. The moth is known to migrate to the northern regions during warmer months, returning to the southern regions when the climate becomes colder.[2]

The variegated cutworm has a number of wasp and fly parasites, which account for most of the larval deaths each year.[1] The female P. saucia produces a sex pheromone to attract male moths. Most notably, the variegated cutworm is known as one of the most damaging garden pests. The larvae cause considerable damage to common garden vegetables and fruits, destroying large amounts of crops every year.[1] There are many methods of pest control that are being implemented in order to control P. saucia and its damage to crops.[2]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Capinera2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference DoaneBrodie1901 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).