Heliothis punctifera

Heliothis punctifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Hexapoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Noctuidae
Genus:	Heliothis
Species:	H. punctifera
Binomial name
	Heliothis punctifera; Walker, 1857
Synonyms
	Neocleptria grisescens Warren, 1913; Heliothis leucatma Meyrick, 1897;

The Lesser Budworm (Heliothis punctifera) is a moth of the Noctuidae family. It is found in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.

The moths can occur in huge numbers when migrating within the country. In November 2005, this species caused a panic at Murray Downs Golf Club near Swan Hill, when swarms of them invaded the course and clubhouse. The walls, ceiling and floor of the clubhouse were covered with resting moths.^[1]

The lesser budworm's wingspan is about 30 mm.^[2] Its larvae feed on plant species of the Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Solanaceae families and a number of other agricultural crops. It is considered a pest on alfalfa, Mexican cotton and wheat.

References

^ Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley (July 23, 2008). "Heliothis punctifera". uts.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2009-01-22.
^ Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley (July 23, 2008). "Heliothis punctifera". uts.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

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[1] Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley (July 23, 2008). "Heliothis punctifera". uts.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

[2] Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley (July 23, 2008). "Heliothis punctifera". uts.edu.au. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2009-01-22.

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