The immatures of Peridroma saucia (Hübner, [1808]) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) revisited: redescription of external morphology of Neotropical populations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Peridroma saucia (Hübner, [1808]) or ‘variegated cutworm’ is a cosmopolitan owlet moth pest resilient and abundant in agroecosystems. However, the morphology of their immatures is only briefly described, and information from distinct life stages is fragmentary. This study describes in detail all immature stages of the species based on a Neotropical population and compares it with populations from other continents and with other cutworm pests found in the Neotropical region. The eggs present useful characters to distinguish P. saucia from other noctuinae pests, such as the number of micropylar openings, and the number and location of aeropyles. The larvae also have unique characters, concentrated on the head capsule (mainly mandibles and spinneret), general color pattern and several aspects on the chaetotaxy. On the other hand, the pupae are remarkably similar to those of cutworms species, although the number of spines on cremaster is potentially a diagnosable character. In general, immature characters can therefore be useful to identify P. saucia regardless of the life stage. These results confirm the relevance of detailed morphological studies on immature of pest species that may be useful to identify and distinguish these individuals without the need of obtaining adults.