Spodoptera mauritia acronyctoide, brassicas, Fiji

September 2017. A moth wondering around brassicas, Sigatoka, Fiji.

It was identified as the grass armyworm, Spodoptera mauritia acronyctoides, – the caterpillars generally feed on grasses in crop fields. It can be a problem on golf courses! Its relative, the tropical armyworm, Spodoptera litura, can be a major pest of vegetables. It is similar with a whitish spot mid-wing.