Photo © Bernard Dupont

Spiny Bollworm

Earias biplaga

Checklist Number
74.0121 [B&F: 2419]

Verification
Record requires retention of specimen until confirmed, and may require dissection. Consult with CMR if unsure

Classification

Family:Nolidae
Subfamily:Chloephorinae
Genus:Earias
Species:biplaga
Authority:(Walker, 1866)

Recorded infrequently through accidental importation in produce from sub-Saharan Africa, although may be capable of reaching our shores in an apparently wild state. Recorded for the first time in the gardens of Buckingham Palace on 17 July 1964 following a visit from a delegation from East Africa. Immature stages were also found in produce at Heathrow and Stansted airports in 1979. Adults were trapped at Lymington, Hampshire, on the night of 23 July 1982, followed by one at Dungeness, Kent on 11 September 1999. Not recorded from the Isle of Wight to date. Wingspan 18-25 mm. Characterised by dark purplish-brown terminal fringe on forewing, occasionally also found on Cream-bordered Green Pea E. clorana, and faint antemedian and postmedian lines. Larva feeds on Cotton, causing sufficient damage to be of commercial interest in native areas.

The abundance in each month is indicated as follows:

No records
Very occasional
Irregular
Uncommon
Off-peak, but not unusual
Off-peak, but not unusual
Main flight time
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Adult
Larval

Records by week (adult)

Records by week (larval)

No Larval records to show.