Spodoptera umbraculata Walker 1858

Spodoptera umbraculata (Walker)
Figs. 32, 204-206, 312, 342, 374, 406, 438, 526
Eumichtis? umbraculata Walker 1858: 1717.
Agrotis enunciatus Lucas 1892: 85.
Hadena andrias Meyrick 1902: 27.
Spodoptera umbraculata; Hampson 1909: 252; Warren in
Seitz 1914b: 320; Poole 1989: 925; Edwards 1996: Diagnosis. — Color and pattern similar to S. mauritia and S. triturata, but the overall pattern of S. umbraculata is more distinct with an obvious white orbicular spot and associated white bar in the male (Figs. 204-205). Male with antenna bipectinate (Fig. 19). Male genitalia with ampulla wider and apex less produced than in S. depravata (compare Figs. 310, 340 with 312, 342). Female genitalia with distal margin of ventral plate of ostium bursa sinuate (Fig. 406, 438); signum longer and almost parallel to ventral plate of ostium bursa (Fig. 406).
Description. Adult Male. — Head: Basal segment of labial palpus cream with median patch variably mixed with black and rufous scales; median segment rufous with black transverse bar at 2/3 length; apical segment rufous, apex cream (can be sprinkled with black scales). Frons with short scales cream; long scales black and rufous (scattered with cream scales); lateral spots at eye margin absent; vertex black and cream (sometimes mixed with rufous scales). Antenna bipectinate; scape cream to rufous; flagellum cream, annulated black in basal fifth.
Thorax: Patagium banded, basal band rufous mixed with black, a thin black row of scales separating white median band, distal band light brown. Tegula light brown and black. Mesothorax light brown to brown with variable mix of white and fuscous scales. Underside of thorax white. Prothoracic femur light brown; tibia with lateral scale tufts not extending beyond first tarsal segment, rufous and cream, subapical spot black; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings. Mesothoracic femur light brown and cream; tibia rufous and cream, inner spur more than twice length of outer spur, spurs completely scaled; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings. Metathoracic femur cream and rufous; tibia cream and rufous; tarsal segments fuscous with cream apical rings.
Forewing: Length, 14-16 mm; ground color gray; basal line black; longitudinal black dash at base absent; R vein not contrasting in color; basal scale patch between R and Cu veins absent; basal half circle scale patch below Cu vein absent; antemedial line brown, indistinct; claviform spot absent; basal scale patch absent; gray patch covering anal cell and half of cell CuA2 absent; oblique brown mark from fifth outer marginal spot to vein CuA2 absent; curved white line from antemedial line to postmedial line absent; orbicular spot oval, cream, bordered by white distally between R and Cu veins; reniform spot round, black; white scales along Cu vein from orbicular spot to junction of veins M3 and CuAl which extend down veins M3, CuAl, and CuA2 to postmedial line; postmedial line black, from just below costa to posterior margin, wavy; postmedian band undifferentiated; black scale patches in middle of cells R4 to CuA2, patch in R4 basal to other patches, patch in R5 consisting of only a few scales in postmedian area (patches in cells R4 and R5 can be missing in worn specimens); subterminal line white, curved; apex lacking a white patch; black triangular-shaped spots along outer margin; fringe gray and rufous. Underside ground color pale gray; outer margin with black spots; reniform spot gray.
Hindwing: Ground color white; gray scales along apex and outer margin; fringe white. Underside ground color white; costal cells C and Sc white speckled with gray scales; outer margin with gray triangular spots in middle of cells Sc to CuAl; no spot on underside.
Abdomen: Dorsum pale gray and cream; venter rufous and cream; disto-lateral black spots on sternites; 8th tergite with spiculate patches absent on caudal margin.
Genitalia: Uncus curved in basal half; slender, gradually narrowing toward pointed apex; setae numerous. Scaphium elongate, weakly developed. Tegumen lacking a pair of projecting arms on upper third. Costa sinuate (Figs. 312, 342). Costal process narrow, elongate; at base of costa on inner edge; perpendicular to costa of valve. Cucullus apex round; produced. Anellifer with lightly sclerotized plate bearing setae absent. Ampulla elongate, slightly curved with a pointed produced apex; extending to moderately below apex of valve (Figs. 312, 342). Clasper proper absent. Clavus absent. Sacculus broadest at base, gradually tapering distally; apex pointed. Valvula narrower than valve; well differentiated from valve, apex free; apex pointed; indentation pronounced, ventral margin well sclerotized. Coremata reduced, closely appressed to sacculus; no distinct lobes. Juxta a rectangular band, median process elongate, expanding into an apical plate, ventral margin straight to convex. Anellus membranous. Vinculum U-shaped with a narrow base. Aedoeagus straight; coecum smaller in diameter than shaft; patch of spines absent on apex of membranous sheath surrounding aedoeagus. Vesica curving ventrally; short, less than 0.75 length of aedoeagus; apicobasal cornutal patch a narrow ribbon; length moderate, extending to before middle of vesica; cornuti in form of minute flat granules; lateral cornutal patch a narrow elongate ribbon; composed of large spines; dense cornutal patch on apical diverticulum; distal cornutus absent.
Adult Female. — Essentially as described for male except:
Head: Basal segment of labial palpus cream with a black dorsal patch; median segment cream with dark gray basal patch extending to middle; apical segment dark gray, apex cream. Frons long scales black and cream. Antennal scape cream and rufous (sometimes mixed with black scales).
Thorax: Prothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia cream, black, and rufous, subapical spot absent. Mesothoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia fuscous and cream. Metathoracic femur fuscous and cream; tibia fuscous and cream.
Foreiving: Length, 16-17.5 mm. Orbicular spot
oval, cream, faintly outlined in black; reniform spot black outlined in white; white scales along Cu vein and bases of M3 and CuAl veins absent; black scale patches short in middle of cells R4 to CuAl in postmedian area (faint); fringe gray and white.
Hindzving: Fringe white with gray median line to anal vein.
Abdomen: Venter cream and pale gray; distolateral black spots on sternites (smaller than in male). Fine dense scales on 8th segment whitish.
Genitalia: Ventral plate of ostium bursa wider than high; distal margin sinuate; ventrolateral invaginated pocket of 8th sternite absent. Ductus bursae short (length less than twice width); completely sclerotized. Appendix bursae completely sclerotized. Corpus bursae bulbous, length less than twice width; a few striae. Signum in apical half of corpus bursae; elongate, length greater than 1.15 mm; forming less than a 30 degree angle with vertical axis of corpus bursae.
Larva. — Unknown.
Type material. — Eumichtis? umbraculata Walker. The holotype 8 [BMNH] is labeled: Queensland, Moreton B., Diggles, 57-180; Eumichtis umbraculata; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3473 8. Type locality: Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Agrotis enunciatus Lucas. The type(s) are deposited in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. Type locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Hadena andrias Meyrick. The holotype 8 [BMNH] is labeled: Brisbane, Queensland; Hadena, andrias, Meyr; Noctuidae genitalia slide No. 3881 6 ■ Type locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Material Examined. — Specimens were examined from the following country: Australia.
Distribution (Fig. 526). — This species has a limited distribution in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

Spodoptera umbraculata is a moth of the family Noctuidae endemic to New South Wales and Queensland. The larvae feed on grasses.