Turntail 2
Namibian crop pests  #  102

Eutelia polychorda Order: Lepidoptera Family: Noctuidae

Eutelia polychorda Hampson, 1902 (Noctuidae)  Identification by Ole Karsholt,  ZMUC, DK


(Note, June 2003: Species No. 97 and No. 102 turned out to be the same species, Eutelia polychorda)


Five colour forms of caterpillars


Red striped form of caterpillar

Another red striped form, 
note the dark red spot

The green form of the caterpillar

Imago, dark form

Imago, variegated form

Imago, red-brown with many lines

 

Common names: 

No vernacular names were recorded. 

Pest status:

The pest status is unknown. 

Distribution:

Expected to be widespread in mopane veld. The museum site has a description of a serious defoliation by the same or a similar species in Etosha Game Park in 1997.

Description:

Control:

No control is recommended until the pest status is known

Other notes:

This large sample of caterpillars was brought in by the research technician, Mr. S. T. Ekandjo, the Farming Systems Research Unit. They were collected on mopane trees at Onaholongo village, Omusati region, on 5 February 2001. After the photo session, the caterpillars went into the soil to pupate. They hatched in large numbers 10 days later. 



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