Elasmopalpus

Blanchard, 1852

lesser cornstalk borer (for E. lignosellus)

Elasmopalpus is a of in the , Phycitinae, described by Émile Blanchard in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Americas and currently comprises three . The species E. angustellus was described with the genus, while E. corrientellus was added in 1888 and E. lignosellus in 1848. The genus is considered closely related to Ufa. The most well-known species, E. lignosellus (lesser cornstalk borer), is a significant agricultural pest of Poaceae and Fabaceae throughout the Americas.

Elasmopalpus by (c) David Dodd, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by David Dodd. Used under a CC-BY license.

Elasmopalpus lignosella by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

- 5896 – Elasmopalpus lignosella – Lesser Cornstalk Borer by Wildreturn. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Elasmopalpus: /ɛˌlæzmoʊˈpælpəs/

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Images

Habitat

Sandy soils; coastal plain regions. are more severe during dry periods and in sandy soils. The is restricted to the Americas.

Distribution

Americas: southern United States (South Carolina to Texas), Mexico, Central America ( Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama), West Indies, and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, French Guiana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela). Also recorded from the Bahamas and Juan Fernández Island.

Diet

feed on Poaceae and Fabaceae . Specific include maize, , other Gramineae, legumes, peanuts, and soybeans. One (E. jasminphagus) has been recorded feeding on jasmine (Jasminum sambac) flowers, , shoots, and leaves in India.

Host Associations

Zea mays - larval maize, primary
Saccharum officinarum - larval
Poaceae - larval grasses, Gramineae
Fabaceae - larval legumes
Arachis hypogaea - larval peanut
Glycine max - larval soybean
Asparagus officinalis - larval asparagus
Jasminum sambac - larval jasmine (E. jasminphagus only)

Life Cycle

with , , , and stages. Larvae are light bluish green with prominent transverse reddish- , feeding in silken tunnels covered with soil particles. occurs in silken under debris. For E. lignosellus, larvae attack roots and bore into stems of young plants. Adult lifespan is approximately 25–27 days with around 54 eggs per female (based on E. jasminphagus study).

Behavior

construct silken tunnels in soil attached to plants, covered with soil particles. When disturbed, larvae may suspend themselves by spinning a thin silken thread. Larvae can attack multiple plants sequentially, causing grouped damage in same or adjacent rows. are weak fliers that rely on wind currents for .

Ecological Role

Agricultural . research has identified nematodes (particularly Heterorhabditis amazonensis GL) as effective against . relationships include Orgilus elasmopalpi (). damage by E. lignosellus induces volatile compound release (including (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, β-pinene, β-myrcene, (E)-4,8-dimethylnona-1,3,7-triene, and benzothiazole) that attracts the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum, suggesting an indirect plant defense mechanism.

Human Relevance

Significant economic pest of grain and legume . E. lignosellus causes stem boring damage leading to wilting, , and death in maize, sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans. Damage is most severe in sandy soils and during hot, dry conditions. Management strategies include early planting, crop with non- crops, moisture preservation, and elimination of weed hosts such as johnsongrass. Insecticidal control is rarely justified for most crops, though several and are labeled for control in grain sorghum and other crops. Non-destructive methods using VIS-NIR hyperspectral imaging have been developed for asparagus .

Similar Taxa

UfaConsidered closely related within Phycitinae based on phylogenetic relationships
Stenodiplosis sorghicolaBoth are pests of sorghum , but Stenodiplosis is a () with orange-red , while Elasmopalpus is a () with bluish-green banded that bore in stems
Diatraea saccharalisBoth are stalk-boring in Poaceae, but Diatraea are creamy with conspicuous round or black spots, while Elasmopalpus larvae are bluish-green with transverse reddish-brown and construct soil-covered silken tunnels

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The was long considered with only E. lignosellus, but currently comprises three recognized : E. angustellus ( species), E. corrientellus, and E. lignosellus. A fourth species, E. jasminphagus, has been described from India but its taxonomic placement may warrant verification.

Research Significance

E. lignosellus serves as a model organism for studying -- , particularly the role of -induced plant volatiles in attracting agents.