Mythimna unipuncta (Haworth, 1809) (Noctuidae, lep.) - armyworm in Bačka (Vojvodina, Serbia)

Daily monitoring of noctuids using Kombinat Bečej light trap type in Sombor and Čelarevo has been going on since 1994 and 2008, respectively. The first specimens of the species Mythimna unipuncta were by light traps recorded in Bačka in 2016. Thanks to the increase in air temperature, the Mediterranean species M. unipuncta becomes regularly present in Bačka. During 2024, which was extremely warm, a significant increase in numbers was registered: 318 butterflies were recorded in Čelarevo and 84 in Sombor. Considering the specimens caught in April, it can be assumed that during warm winters species successfully overwinter throughout Bačka. Butterflies are present in four generations. Butterflies of the first generation were present from April 24 to June 16, and the second generation from June 26 to July 23. The exact boundary between the end of the third generation and the beginning of the fourth generation is not clear. Individual butterflies were recorded between these generations. We assume that butterflies recorded from July 28 to August 31 belong to the third generation, and butterflies recorded from September 2 to October 17 belong to the fourth generation. Butterflies fly even longer, but until that period the light traps regularly operate. The third generation was the most numerous. The peak in flight was recorded on August 12 in Sombor with 8 moths and on August 15 with 44 specimens in Čelarevo. Since it is described as very harmful on cereals, the name in serbian „sovica žitarica“ is suggested. Mythimna unipuncta have not been subject to systematic monitoring in Serbia until now. It is recommended to be included in the program of regular monitoring of the Report Service of Plant Protection of Serbia, in order to register the increased number in time and prevent possible damage.