Fauna
Insect

Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth

Spodoptera ornithogalli

Also known as Yellow-striped Armyworm, Cotton Cutworm

Yellow-striped armyworm moths feature intricate brown and grey forewings marked with pale diagonal stripes that provide effective camouflage against tree bark. Their caterpillars are distinctively patterned with bright yellow lateral stripes and dark spots, occasionally moving through pastures and crops in high-density feeding swarms. Adults fly at night to feed on nectar across meadows, cropland, and suburban gardens.

NocturnalMothAgricultural
Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth reference1 / 7
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyFlower Nectar, Crop Foliage, Grasses
Predators
  • Insectivorous Birds
  • Bats
  • Parasitoid Wasps
ThreatsPesticide applications and intensive agricultural management
HabitatsFields, pastures, cropland, gardens, and grassy meadows
Life span30–40 days
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNoctuidae
  3. GenusSpodoptera
  4. SpeciesSpodoptera ornithogalli
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Light Attraction: Observe nocturnal adult moths by setting up a light trap or porch light on warm nights.
  • Larval Spotting: Inspect low-growing plants and crop foliage during early morning for yellow-striped caterpillars.
Keep collecting in Fauna

Found in Collections

Species set

Moonlight Marvels

Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.

—/7
Continue in the app
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…