Peridroma saucia

Hübner, 1808

Variegated Cutworm, Pearly Underwing, False Black Cutworm Moth

Peridroma saucia is a highly with a nearly distribution across temperate and subtropical regions. The is a significant agricultural pest, with feeding on numerous plants including vegetables, fruits, and field crops. are migratory, moving northward in spring and returning south in autumn, with 2–4 per year depending on latitude. Recent research has documented its role as a of apple and other crops, revealing ecological functions beyond its pest status.

Peridroma saucia by (c) Victor Engel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Victor Engel. Used under a CC-BY license.

Peridroma saucia by no rights reserved, uploaded by Allan Harris. Used under a CC0 license.

Peridroma saucia by (c) Kevin Salls, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kevin Salls. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Peridroma saucia: //ˌpɛrɪˈdroʊmə ˈsaʊsiə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

distinguished from similar by combination of: (1) seven short black marks on , (2) opalescent to with , and (3) moderate size (43–50 mm wingspan). identified by: (1) or white spots on first 4–6 abdominal , (2) black W-shaped mark on 8th abdominal segment of final , and (3) black above . Similar to Agrotis and Euxoa but with distinctive spot pattern and W-mark.

Images

Habitat

Agricultural farmlands, gardens, orchards, and disturbed open . found in soil, under debris, or on vegetation. attracted to light. Greenhouse established where food is abundant. range thought to extend from lower Mississippi valley to southern Great Plains in North America.

Distribution

Nearly : North America (southern Canada through United States, Mexico), South America, Europe (first recorded 1790), Asia (including Japan since 1970s, China, South Korea), Africa, and Hawaiian Islands. In North America, primarily inhabits southern Canada and northern United States, with seasonal to more northern areas.

Seasonality

active May through November depending on location. Multiple per year: two generations in colder regions (e.g., Canada), three to four in warmer areas. Migratory move north in spring, return south in autumn. feed primarily at night; adults .

Diet

Highly . feed on vegetables (including potato, sugarbeet, tomato, cabbage, lettuce), fruits (including apple, peach, ), field (wheat, corn, barley, oats, alfalfa, soybean, ), and weeds (Datura, Rumex, Eupatorium capillifolium, , Capsella bursa-pastoris). feed on nectar; documented as of apple.

Host Associations

Solanum tuberosum - larval Major pest
Beta vulgaris - larval consume up to 125 cm² of foliage
Malus domestica - nectar source; larval Documented by ; climb trees to feed on foliage
Glycine max - larval cause 30–60% yield reduction
Nicotiana tabacum - larval Significant pest in -growing regions
Zea mays - larval Field
Triticum aestivum - larval Cereal
Prunus persica - larval Stone fruit
Fragaria - larval Soft fruit

Life Cycle

with 2–4 annually. stage: 4–6 days at 20–30°C, up to 10 days at 15°C; 3.0–6.0°C. Larval stage: six with total duration variable; developmental threshold 2.6–6.7°C. Pupal stage: 13 days at 25°C, 33 days at 15°C; developmental threshold 4.3–8.5°C; formed in soil. longevity and temperature-dependent; females lay 1200–1400 eggs over lifetime, with higher total fecundity at 18–24°C than at 15°C due to extended period. Overwinters as or ; cannot survive more than 8 weeks at 0°C or 4 weeks at −2°C.

Behavior

feeding by , which hide in soil or under shelter during daytime and move to foliage at night. Larvae capable of climbing trees to access foliage. At high , larvae exhibit -like , moving en masse between fields and causing extensive localized damage. migratory, moving from southwest to northeast in warmer months; decreases under unfavorable conditions. Adults attracted to light. Female produces (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate as major component and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate as minor component (3:1 ratio) to attract males.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest causing significant damage through larval and cutting of stems at soil surface. Documented as of apple and potentially other crops. Serves as for numerous and (, , , ), which account for majority of larval mortality. Functions as item in , though specific documentation limited beyond parasitoids.

Human Relevance

Major agricultural pest of vegetables, fruits, and field ; described as one of the most damaging garden pests. Larval damage includes cutting plants at soil surface, , stripping of leaves and fruit, and /stem consumption. Control methods include , garden (weed and debris removal), physical barriers (trenches, tar , stem wraps), and using poultry (turkeys, guinea hens). Subject of research for and potential . Recent recognition of services complicates simple pest .

Similar Taxa

Agrotis spp.Similar and ; distinguished by larval spot pattern and adult coloration
Euxoa spp.Similar and ; () shares winter activity pattern but differs in larval markings and appearance
Mythimna unipuncta with similar documented in same apple pollination study; distinguished by different larval and pattern

More Details

Pheromone Biology

Female gland contains (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate and (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate in ratio of 2.1:1 to 2.4:1. -binding PsauPBP3, predominantly expressed in male , shows high binding affinity for both components; five residues (Thr-10, Phe-13, Ile-53, Ile-95, Phe-119) identified as critical for binding.

Parasitoid Complex

Documented include: Apanteles xylinus, Chelonus insularis, C. militaris, Meteorus autographae, M. leviventris, Microplitis feltiae, Rogas perplexus, R. rufocoxalis, Campoletis sonorensis, Enicospilus merdarius, Nepiera fuscifemora, Ophion flavidus, Dibrachys canus, Archytas aterrimus, A. cirphis, Bonnetia comta, Carcelia spp., Chaetogaedia monticola, Clausicela opaca, Eucelatoria armigera, Euphorocera claripennis, E. omissa, Gonia longipulvilli, G. porca, G. sequax, Lespesia archippivora, Madremyia saundersii, Peleteria texensis, Periscepsia helymus, P. laevigata, Voria ruralis, Winthemia leucanae, W. quadripustulata, and W. rufopicta.

Ecological Duality

Research published 2021 documented significant contribution to apple production in Arkansas, where P. saucia was among the nocturnal visitors. This finding illustrates that 'pest' provide services, complicating management decisions and supporting approaches that preserve functions while limiting damage.