From time to time, the meadow moth gives outbreaks of large-scale reproduction and is very harmful to agricultural land. This pest is characterized by a wide range of crops eaten by it, a high degree of harmfulness of caterpillars, the ability of butterflies to fly long distances and domesticate the widest territories. All these characteristics make the moth one of the most serious pests.
The meadow moth undergoes four stages of transformation: a caterpillar emerges from the egg, which, in turn, becomes a pupa, and an imago - a butterfly - appears from the pupa. An adult moth is considered a gray-brown moth. In a calm position, it looks like a triangle. The wingspan reaches 25 mm. The moth flies with short but fast zigzag flights.
The caterpillar has a greenish-gray color, dark stripes on the back and sides, between which there are sinuous yellowish stripes. Head in black with a white pattern. Caterpillars feed on both cultivated and wild plants. The most popular are sugar beets, peas, sunflowers, corn, melons and vegetables. The caterpillar of wormwood, quinoa, bindweed and even bitter and poisonous herbs eats. During its development, the caterpillar sheds four times and passes five ages. The most harmful time of the caterpillar’s life is 2-5 years old, its length is then from 0.8 to 3 cm. At this time, the caterpillars eat round the clock and stop only for molting.
Meadow moth. Control measures
Plots captured by the track should be deeply plowed. Loosen and spud plants. A young caterpillar covered with earth will not be able to get out. To destroy weeds not only in the fields, but also on the side of roads and in the surrounding area. This should be done before the beginning of the summer of butterflies. You can destroy the weed using the drugs "Glyphos" or "Hurricane Forte." The primary signs of the action of these funds will appear in a week. Thanks to the action of the preparations, the butterflies will have nowhere to lay their eggs, and the meadow moth will fly further. Or they have time to lay eggs, but the larvae will be left without food.
But during the breeding season, the meadow moth , especially its second generation, is quite difficult to breed. The use of Kinmix and Fufanon insecticides will help. Lepidocide, a biological preparation, copes with caterpillars very well. Its use is allowed even on vegetable crops five days before the start of vegetable harvesting. All surrounding plants are also treated with drugs.
If a horticultural partnership has chosen a meadow moth, the photo of which you see, it is very important to fight the pest collectively. The main emphasis should be on the destruction of caterpillars, this will help to save the current year’s crop, reduce the number of pests and the next season.
Especially the moth likes to destroy sugar beet crops, for which vast territories are allocated. Mass reproduction of the pest can lead to considerable economic damage. Therefore, the phytosanitary situation of crops should be carefully monitored.