Striped stem borer

The striped stem borer moth is straw to light brown with silvery scales and a row of black dots at the tip of the fore wing; the hind wing is yellow-white. The eggs are disc-like, pale yellow and overlaps in the egg mass. The larva has a yellow-brown head. It gets its name from three dorsal and two lateral brown stripes along its body. In temperate regions the larvae overwinter in rice straw or rice stubble. The pupa is dark brown.

Plant hosts. The larvae can develop on maize or grassy weeds, but prefer rice.

Distinguishing characteristics.

√ Many larvae may be found in one rice stem.

√ Eggs masses are deposited near the base of leaves or leaf sheaths and are not covered with hair.

√ The striped stem borer is most abundant in temperate regions and in areas that do not flood.