Golden Twin-Spot Moth

Chrysodeixis chalcites

1. Identification

• Common name: Golden twin‑spot moth
• Scientific name: Chrysodeixis chalcites Esper
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Noctuidae

2. Pest description

• Light green caterpillars, with whitish longitudinal lines and a typical “looping” movement, reaching 30–35 mm.
• Adults with brownish forewings, displaying two very characteristic metallic golden spots; wingspan of 30–40 mm.
• Polyphagous species, with high capacity to cause damage in horticultural and ornamental crops.
• Mainly nocturnal activity, with caterpillars that feed on leaves, flowers and fruits.

3. Main hosts

• Tomato.
• Pepper, aubergine and other solanaceous plants.
• Banana.
• Various vegetables: lettuce, bean, cabbages, spinach.
• Ornamentals and wild plants that act as a reservoir.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Irregular perforations in the leaves, frequently of large size.
• Damage to flowers and young fruits, reducing the productive potential.
• Presence of dark excrement in the feeding areas.
• In greenhouses, it can cause very significant losses due to rapid population growth.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid singly on the underside of the leaves.
• Caterpillars develop over 2–3 weeks, passing through several instars.
• Pupation in silken cocoons on the vegetation or in the soil.
• Adults emerge throughout the year in greenhouses; several generations per year, accelerated by high temperatures.

6. Monitoring

• Direct observation of caterpillars and foliar damage.
• Pheromone traps for detecting adults and tracking flight peaks.
• Regular inspection of young leaves, flowers and fruits.
• Reinforced monitoring in greenhouses and areas with a history of the pest.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: removal of plant debris; improvement of ventilation in greenhouses; elimination of wild host plants.
• Preventive: frequent monitoring and integration with phenological models.
• Biological: application of Bacillus thuringiensis at young caterpillar stages; promotion of natural parasitoids and predators.
• Integrated protection: definition of intervention thresholds, judicious use of authorised insecticides and rotation of modes of action to avoid resistance.

Bibliographic references

• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Chrysodeixis chalcites.
• EPPO Global Database – Chrysodeixis chalcites.
• Alford, D. V. (2007). Pest and Disease Management Handbook. Blackwell Publishing.
• Bani, M. et al. (2018). Biology and management of Chrysodeixis chalcites in horticultural crops. Journal of Applied Entomology, 142, 123–134.
• González‑Cabrera, J. et al. (2011). Monitoring and control of the golden twin‑spot moth in greenhouse crops. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin, 68, 45–52.