Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) (Noctuidae): Larval and Pupal Morphological Identification Guide with Confirmation of a New Hostplant Species and Family, Mentha spicata (L.) (Lamiales: Lamiaceae)

An early instar larva of Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée) was collected from spearmint, Mentha spicata (Lamiales: Lamiaceae), and reared to adult in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. A female S. ornithogalli was collected from the same locality and laid eggs. Her offspring were reared successfully on this host. This is the first record of S. ornithogalli using Lamiaceae as a hostplant outside of the laboratory, so the agricultural and regulatory implications of this record are examined. Identification of the immature stages of S. ornithogalli is difficult with the existing literature. We illustrate key larval, pupal, and adult characters of the original specimen found on M. spicata and discuss morphological characters to distinguish S. ornithogalli from related species throughout its range.