Hodges#4949

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ostrinia nubilalis: /ɒˈstrɪniə njuːbɪˈlɑːlɪs/

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Summary

Ostrinia nubilalis, commonly known as the European corn borer, is a significant agricultural pest native to Europe, introduced to North America in the early 20th century. It infests corn and other crops, leading to severe agricultural damage.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan 24-32 mm; males are mostly grayish-brown with dark yellow around discal spot, hindwing grayish with large pale yellowish patch; females are light yellow with grayish-brown lines; larvae are pale brown or pinkish-gray with a dark gray middorsal line on abdominal segments.

Identification Tips

Adult moths are sexually dimorphic; males have a darker forewing, while females are lighter and more yellowish. The toothed PM line with large sinus near the inner margin is noticeable in both sexes.

Habitat

Corn fields, gardens, commercial crop plantations.

Distribution

North America east of the Rockies, also occurs in Europe and northern Africa.

Diet

Larvae bore in stalks of corn and feed on about 200 species of plants, including maize, aster, barley, beans, dahlia, millet, oats, potato, sorghum, and other herbaceous species.

Life Cycle

Undergoes four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Larvae have five to six instars before pupation occurs in spring.

Reproduction

Lays 500-600 eggs on the underside of host plants in irregular clusters of 15-20 eggs. Overwinters as a larva; two generations per year in southern regions, one generation in northern regions.

Predators

Natural enemies include hymenopteran parasitoids, such as Trichogramma; biological control agents include the fungus Beauveria bassiana and protozoa Nosema pyrausta.

Ecosystem Role

Acts as a significant pest of corn and other crops, affecting agricultural yield.

Economic Impact

A serious pest of corn in the U.S. and Canada; can lead to significant crop yield losses.

Collecting Methods

• Use of light traps at night to capture adult moths.
• Examination of corn plants for larvae and egg masses.

Preservation Methods

• Pinning adult specimens for display.
• Freezing larvae for genetic studies.

Evolution

Introduced to North America in the early 1900s; has established a population and evolved in response to local conditions, potentially leading to differing strains based on pheromone communication.

Similar Taxa

• Ostrinia species
• Other crambid moths

Misconceptions

Often confused with other species of moths that infest corn; misidentified due to similarity in appearance and behavior.

Tags

• pest
• corn borer
• Lepidoptera
• agriculture
• insect pest