Hornworm Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée 1852) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in cacao Theobroma cacao L. in El Salvador

Abstract

Insects of the family Noctuidae are frequently found in El Salvador. They are characterized because the adults are nocturnal. This paper deals with the life cycle, ecology and the first report of Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) feeding on the foliage of cacao Theobroma cacao L. at the field level in El Salvador. The insects were reared in the laboratory and photographs of the egg, larval, pre-pupal, pupal and adult stages with their sexual dimorphism are presented.