Spodoptera cilium Guenée, 1852

Host plants:
The larvae feed on Poaceae. Possibly also Cyperaceae are used.

Habitat:
The subtropical and tropical species inhabits warm, humid places that are rich in fresh grasses, such as river beds, wetlands, coastal areas or similar places like watered hotel parks. The young larva neads young, well-watered grasses. In Spain (Almeria) I recorded many larvae partly on grasses standing in the water of the Rio Andarax, but not a single larva on dry standing (and thus not so lushy) ones.

Life cycle:
Spodoptera cilium develops in several generations throughout the year and is autochthonic only in regions where temperatures allow this. Males are usually lighter and more contrasty than females. Oviposition takes place in batches on grass leaves that are covered with female hair. The larvae are also variable. Young ones are green and may stay so until the last moult. According to conditions already a part or all half-grown larvae are brownish or brown-green, then often with pink elements. In the last instar nearly all larvae are brownish, without pink elements. Pupation occurs in the soil.

Remarks:
Spodoptera cilium is widespread in Afica and the southern part of Asia. In Europe it is only autochthonic in the south near the coasts, bus migrates to many other regions where it can reproduce for some time. Northward single records are known from S-England and to the southern foothills of the Alps. At least at the moment, single records from north of the Alps usually originate from introduction e.e. by agricultural products.