Stem Borer Pest
Chilo partellus, Scirpophaga incertulas
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameStem Borer Pest
DescriptionStem borers are larvae that tunnel into plant stems, causing wilting and plant death. Learn to identify damage and protect your crops from these pests.
TypeInsect
FamilyCrambidae
GenusChilo
TribeChilonini
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumArthropoda
SubphylumHexapoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
SubfamilyCrambinae
Features
- Named for the behavior of larvae that bore into the internal tissue of plant stems. Major pests of staple grains like rice, corn, and sorghum
- Moths are typically straw-colored or brown. Larvae are creamy-white or pinkish with dark heads, often showing stripes or spots
- Early instars may feed on leaves, but they soon bore into the stem, where they feed on the central growing point
- Causes 'deadheart' in young plants where the central leaf wilts and turns brown. In older cereal plants, it causes 'whiteheads'—empty, bleached grain heads that produce no seed
- Eggs are laid in clusters on leaves. Larvae hatch and enter stems. They pupate inside the stem and emerge through a small exit hole as moths
- Moths have wingspans of 20-30 mm. Larvae can grow to 25 mm long
- Populations often peak during specific physiological stages of the host crop (e.g., tillering in rice)
- Attacks rice, corn (maize), sorghum, sugarcane, and millets
- Rotate with non-cereal crops and destroy stubble after harvest to kill overwintering larvae. Use light traps to monitor and catch moths
- Encourage natural predators like dragonflies and spiders. Use pheromone traps to disrupt mating. Systemic organic treatments are sometimes needed since they live inside stems
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificChilo partellus, Scirpophaga incertulas
English (Alternate)Rice stem borer, Maize stem borer, Yellow stem borer
Hindiತನ ಛೇದಕ್ (Tana chhedak)
Tamilತಂಡು ತುಳೈಪ್ಪಾನ್ (Thandu thulaippaan)
Teluguಕಾಂಡಂ ತೊಲಿಚೆ ಪುರುಗು (Kandam tholichey purugu)
Malayalamತಂಡು ತುರಪ್ಪನ್ ಪುಳು (Thandu thurappan puzhu)
Kannadaಕಾಂಡ ಕೊರಕ (Kaanda koraka)
Sanskritಕಾಂಡ-ರಂಧ್ರಕ (Kaanda-randhraka)
Bengaliಕಾಂಡೋ ಮಜ್ರಾ ಪೋಕ (Kando mazra poka)
Frenchforeur des tiges
Russianಸ್ಟೆಬ್ಲೆವೊಯ್ ಬುರಿಲ್'ಶ್ಚಿಕ್ (steblevoy buril'shchik)
Spanishbarrenador del tallo
GermanStängelbohrer
