Plusia

Ochsenheimer, 1816

Plusia is a of in the , Plusiinae. in this genus are commonly known as or plusias. The genus includes several agricultural whose feed on various plants. are typically and exhibit specific mating behaviors including female release and fanning. Some species display migratory in young adults.

Plusia putnami 229126638 by Louis Imbeau. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Plusia venusta - 12-07-12 - Regina - Saskatchewan - Canada (8708219904) by Ben Sale from UK. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

CATALOGUE-BM-PLATE CCXXXIX by Sir GEORGE F. HAMPSON, Bart.. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Plusia: /ˈpluːsiə/

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Identification

have three pairs of on abdominal 3-6, distinguishing them from geometrid which have only two pairs. This characteristic looping gait gives the "" to many . typically have a wingspan of 30-40 mm with characteristic silver or gold markings on the , including a distinctive Y-shaped or spot-like pattern. Specific species identification requires examination of or molecular markers.

Images

Distribution

Records from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Vermont (USA), and other locations in the United States. Individual have wider distributions: Plusia occurs across Europe and parts of Asia; Plusia chalcites has been recorded in Europe and North Africa; Plusia festucae occurs in Europe.

Behavior

activity shows circadian patterns with lowered light thresholds for flight during the first three days after . Mating involves complex courtship: females protrude the and fan their while settled; males approach from below, fan wings, and touch the female with before moving alongside; females curve the abdomen toward the male to enable copulation. Peak mating activity occurs approximately two hours before light onset under laboratory conditions. Calling behavior ( release) in females is restricted to specific time windows and shows in pheromone titre.

Human Relevance

Several are significant agricultural pests. feed on soybean, tomato, alfalfa, cabbage, and other , causing and . Plusia chalcites (tomato ) and related species are targets for programs. Bt-traited crops have been developed to manage these pests.

Similar Taxa

ChrysodeixisFormerly included now placed in Chrysodeixis; Chrysodeixis includens (soybean ) was historically classified as Pseudoplusia includens. Molecular and morphological differences in structure distinguish the .
Trichoplusia () is morphologically similar and shares the larval form with three pairs of ; distinguished by specific pattern markings and male characteristics.
AutographaAutographa (including A. californica, alfalfa ) are similar in appearance and biology; distinguished by pattern details and . Some Autographa species have leg structures on 3 and 4 that Plusia lacks.