Reproductive Behaviour and Pheromone Trapping of the common armyworm, 'Mythimna Convecta' (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The common armyworm, 'Mythimna convecta' (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of cereal crops and pasture grasses. It is an endemic species widely distributed throughout Australia. Outbreaks are sporadic and largely unpredictable. Pheromone traps might be useful as early warning devices, thus giving better prediction of outbreaks. An understanding of the reproductive biology of the species and field testing of synthetic equivalents of the female sex pheromone are relevant towards developing a pheromone lure for this species.