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Insecta, Lepidoptera, Noctuidae .

Artichoke moth

Description, Biology, Life Cycle, Damage, Common Names, Images

[R]Biology
- This pest develops on artichoke.
- Adult: the moth is markedly nocturnal. The female lays up to 1300 eggs in 2 or 3 groups at the base of the foot of artichoke.
- Larva: during 2 to 8 hours, the young caterpillar climbs along the plant and nibbles the upper epidermis of the leaves; it then penetrates the veins, perforating them to expell its frass. It then eats through the centre of the stem and reaches the head where it forms large galleries (*) .

[R]Life Cycle
- 1 generation per year.
- The adults appear from the beginning of October to mid- November. The eggs hatch at intervals from December to February. The caterpillars develop inside the plant until pupating in these same galleries (*) .

[R]Damage
This moth is the most important pest of the artichoke in the Mediterranean basin. The damage it causes can be considerable: the heads are lost and, furthermore, the weakened plant does not produce any more flowers.
DE: Artischokeneule ES: Taladro de la alcachofa FR: Noctuelle de l'artichaut IT: Nottua del carciofo PT: Nóctua da alcachofra GB: Artichoke moth

[R] Images

1. Gortyna xanthenes Germar Moth on an artichoke leaf (Coutin R. / OPIE)
   
2. Gortyna xanthenes Germar Larva in an artichoke stem The gallery is blocked with frass.
   
3. Gortyna xanthenes Germar Pupa in its cell inside an artichoke stem (Coutin R. / OPIE)