Diatraea crambidoides

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Diatraea crambidoides
A shiny caterpillar with many black dots and a dark brown head
Larva
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Diatraea
Species:
D. crambidoides
Binomial name
Diatraea crambidoides
(Grote, 1880)[1][2]
Synonyms
  • Chilo crambidoides Grote, 1880
  • Diatraea tripsacicola Dyar, 1921
  • Diatraea zeacolella Dyar, 1911

Diatraea crambidoides, the southern cornstalk borer moth, is a species of moth of the family Crambidae described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1880. It is found in North America,[3] from Alabama and northern Florida to Ohio and Maryland. Its wingspan is 15–40 mm, and adults are straw colored to dull white. The forewings are slightly darker than the hindwings. There are two generations per year.

The larvae feed on Zea mays, Tripsacum dactyloides and Sorghum species.[4] Young larvae feed within the plant whorl. They also tunnel in the midribs of leaves, and sometimes destroy growing points within leaf whorls. As larvae grow larger they tunnel into the stalks. Full-grown larvae are about 25 mm long. The winter form is creamy yellow with a dark brown head. The summer form is milky white and covered with black spots. The species overwinters in the larval stage within cavities in corn taproots. Summer pupation occurs in the portion of the stalk which is above the ground. Pupation of the hibernating generation occurs in the base of the stalk or in large roots.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nuss, M.; et al. (2003–2017). "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. ^ "800835 – 5476 – Diatraea crambidoides – Southern Cornstalk Borer Moth – (Grote, 1880)". Moth Photographers Group. Mississippi State University. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. ^ Hollenbeck, Jeff (May 19, 2007). "Species Diatraea crambidoides - Southern Cornstalk Borer - Hodges#5476". Bug Guide. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  4. ^ "Southern Corn Stalk Borer, Diatraea crambidoides (Grote), Feeding Damage on Eastern Gamagrass in Oklahoma". Ars.usda.gov. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  5. ^ "Extension Integrated Pest Management Program - Southern Cornstalk Borer". Ipm.ncsu.edu. Retrieved October 10, 2011.