Corn Borer
Ostrinia nubilalis
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameCorn Borer
DescriptionCorn borers tunnel through stalks and ears, weakening plants and destroying harvests. Identify 'shot-hole' leaf damage early to prevent internal tunneling.
TypeInsect
FamilyCrambidae
GenusOstrinia
TribePyraustini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
SubfamilyPyraustinae
Features
- Named for its ability to bore into and tunnel through all above-ground parts of the corn plant. It is one of the most economically damaging pests of corn worldwide
- Adult moths are yellowish-brown with dark, wavy bands on the wings. Larvae are flesh-colored caterpillars with small, dark spots and a deep brown head
- Young larvae feed on leaves, creating a row of 'shot-holes' when the leaf unfurls. Older larvae bore into the tassel, stalk, or ear to feed internally
- Symptoms include broken tassels, tunneling in the stalk (leading to plant collapse), and frass (sawdust-like droppings) near entry holes. Damaged ears are prone to mold
- Overwinters as full-grown larvae in corn stalks or weeds. Becomes a moth in late spring. Females lay egg masses resembling fish scales on the undersides of leaves
- Larvae grow to about 25 mm (1 inch) long. Moths have a wingspan of roughly 25-30 mm
- Most active during the summer months. Can have 1 to 4 generations per year depending on the climate and latitude
- Primary host is corn (sweet, field, and popcorn), but it can also attack peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, snap beans, and various large-stemmed weeds
- Destroy or plow under corn stalks in the fall to kill overwintering larvae. Rotate crops to non-host plants
- Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or spinosad when larvae are first seen on leaves, BEFORE they tunnel into the stalk. Encourage natural predators like lacewings
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificOstrinia nubilalis
English (Alternate)European Corn Borer, ECB
Hindiमक्का छेदक (Makka chhedak)
Tamilசோளத் தண்டு துளைப்பான் (Sola thandu thulaippaan)
Teluguమొక్కజొన్న పురుగు (Mokkajonna purugu)
Malayalamചോളം തുരപ്പൻ പുഴു (Chōḷaṁ thurappan puḻu)
Kannadaಮೆಕ್ಕೆಜೋಳದ ಕಾಂಡ ಕೊರಕ (Mekkejōḷada kāṇḍa koraka)
Sanskritयवनाल-रन्ध్రక (Yavanāla-randhraka)
Bengaliভুট্টা মজরা পোকা (Bhutta mazra poka)
Frenchpyrale du maïs
Russianстеблевой мотылек (steblevoy motylek)
Spanishtaladro del maíz
GermanMaiszünsler
