External microstructure of eggs from major owlet moth pests (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) associated with Brazilian soybean crops

Abstract

The owlet moth group of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) includes several significantly important pest species that cause severe defoliation or can act as borers of the reproductive structures of plants (pods, cotton bolls, corn ears). The descriptions of the microstructures and scanning electron photographs of the eggs of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Erebidae: Eulepidotinae), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), Rachiplusia nu (Guenée) (Noctuidae: Plusiinae), Spodoptera albula (Walker), Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker), Spodoptera eridania (Stoll), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Noctuidae: Noctuinae), Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), Helicoverpa gelotopoeon (Dyar), and Chloridea virescens (Fabricius) (Noctuidae: Heliothinae) are provided. The eggs of some of these species present peculiar morphological differences that can be useful for taxonomic purposes.