The eggs are yellowish and spherical (slightly flattened), typical of noctuid moths.
The pupa of the Spanish moth is practically black, as is typical of noctuid moths.
Larvae grow up to 5 cm long and feed on the host plant’s leaves, bulbs, and rhizomes. In a short period, many larvae can harm lily leaves.
The larvae are black with cream-white or yellow-white streaks and an orange head, prolegs, and back end. Each body segment bears a dorsal and lateral patch of cream-white near each band in addition to the whitish band. Both the head and the posterior end feature two black patches that resemble eyes, giving the posterior end a similar appearance to the head.
Adults have rosy-pink and black forewings with orange flecks running through the veins, a black body, and grey hindwings. The forewings of certain types are more white than pink.
Host plants:
Spider lilies, other Amaryllidaceae, Iridaceae, and Liliaceae, are the primary food plants for Spanish moth larvae.
Territory:
The Spanish moth, which originated in Surinam, may be found in lowland portions of South and Central America and the Caribbean.
Damage caused by Convict Caterpillar/Spanish Moth:
Spanish moth larvae harm host plants by biting indiscriminately on their leaves, bulbs, and rhizomes. The Spanish moth has been observed causing economic harm to lilies.
Life history and Habits:
Adult Spanish moths are active from January to early June and September to December. However, they may have virtually continuous generations in the state’s southernmost sections and potentially in greenhouses where the hosts are cultivated. There are six instars in the larvae. Under ideal conditions, larval exclusion takes around 8 days, followed by roughly 17 days of larval feeding. The pupal stage lasts around 19 days, resulting in a total generation time of approximately 46 days, including 2-3 days for adult flight and mating. As a result, a 7-8 weeks generation time allows for up to 6 generations each year. Adults have a lifespan of 8-10 days. In a short period, many larvae can harm lily leaves. Females deposit hundreds of eggs in clusters on the lower leaf surfaces. In loose soil, larvae seek for protected crevices to pupate. When disturbed, pupae become active.
