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Lesser Cornstalk Borer

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Article author: Kate Crumley
Most recently reviewed by: Tyler Mays & Danielle Sekula (2021)

Common Name(s): Lesser Cornstalk Borer

Description

The lesser cornstalk borer is a small, yellow to black moth with sexual dimorphism that varies by location. This moth species is a pest on a variety of grain and legume crops, with larvae that feed by tunneling into the stem of the host plant.

Origin and Distribution

The lesser cornstalk borer is native to the United States. It can be found from Maine to California, and has been documented in Hawaii, but is most often found in sandy soils in the southeastern United States. It can also be found in Mexico, Central, and South America.

Habitat & Hosts

The lesser cornstalk borer is a polyphagous pest that feeds on a variety of crops. Vegetable and legume crops are often damaged, and it has a variety of weedy hosts like crabgrass, johnsongrass, wild oats, bermudagrass, wiregrass, goosegrass, and nutsedge.

Life Cycle

Lesser cornstalk borer eggs are oval, and are 0.35mm – 0.43 mm in width, and green when first laid, but turn pink after 8- 24 hours. Eggs turn deeper red as they near hatching, and are a deep iridescent crimson immediately before. Eggs take between 2- 3.5 days to hatch depending on temperature. Larvae that can be found in silk tunnels radiating horizontally from the stems of their host plants immediately below the soil surface. The silk tubes are usually between two or three inches long, depending on the age of the larvae. Larvae normally have 6 instars, but can range from 5- 9, and range from 1.3 mm to 20.8 mm long. The larval stage lasts about 20 days when not overwintering. Pupae can be found in the silk tunnels near base of the plant, or loose in the soil. They are yellow early, and turn dark brown to nearly black before adults eclose. They range from 7.6 mm to 9.6 mm in length. The pupal stage can last from 7- 10 days when not overwintering. Adult moths are 8-9 mm long brown moths with sexual dimorphism, and color patterns that vary based on location. Adults live for about 10 days, and are most active at night.

Management

If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options.

Damage from the lesser cornstalk borer is caused by feeding, which tunnels into the stem of the plant or girdles the base of the plant. Wilting is one of the early symptoms of infestation, and can result in a poor crop stand. Insecticides can be used to control this pest, but need to be applied to the root zone, either in the seed furrow or banded over the seed bed. Modified planting practices can be used to minimize damage. Insect populations increase later in the growing season, so early planting can help. Tillage and weed control also help minimize insect populations in the environment, but conservation tillage can also help. Conservation tillage can allow larvae to feed freely on crop residue and organic matter, which can spare seedlings.

Related Publications

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/field/lesser_cornstalk_borer.htm#damage

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef129

Citations

All JN, Gallaher RN, Jellum MD. 1979. Influence of planting date, preplanting weed control, irrigation, and conservation tillage practices on efficacy of planting time insecticide applications for control of lesser cornstalk borer in field corn. Journal of Economic Entomology 72: 265-268.

Bessin R. 2004. The common stalk borer in corn. University of Kentucky, Entomology. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef100.asp (5 September 2008)

Biddle AJ, Hutchins SH, Wightman JA. 1992. Pests living below ground, Elasmopalpus lignosellus: Lesser cornstalk borer, pp. 202-203. In McKinley RG. [editor] Vegetable Crop Pests. CRC press, Boca Raton, FL.

Capinera JL. 2001. Handbook of Vegetable Pests. Academic Press, San Diego. 729 pp.

Chang V, Ota AK. 1987. The lesser cornstalk borer: a new important pest of young sugarcane, pp. 27-30 In Annual Report, 1986. Experiment station. Hawaiian Sugar Planter’s Association, Pahala, HI.

Chapin JW. (1999). Lesser cornstalk borer on peanut. Entomology insect information Series. http://entweb.clemson.edu/eiis/pdfs/ag21.pdf (20 August 2008).

Funderburk JE, Boucias DG, Herzog DC, Sprenkel RK, Lynch RE. 1984. Parasitoids and pathogens of larval lesser cornstalk borers (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in northern Florida. Environmental Entomology 13: 1319-1323.

Funderburk JE, Herzog DC, Mack TP, Lynch RE. 1985. Sampling lesser cornstalk borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) adults in several crops with reference to adult dispersion patterns. Environmental Entomology 14: 452-458.

Gardner WA, All JN. 1982. Chemical control of the lesser cornstalk borer in grain sorghum. Journal of Georgia Entomological Society. 17: 167-171.

Isely D. 1944. The lesser cornstalk borer, a pest of fall beans. Journal of Kansas Entomological Society. 17: 51-57.

Leuck DB. 1966. Biology of the lesser cornstalk borer in south Georgia. Journal of Economic Entomology 59: 797-801.

Luginbill P, Ainslie GG. 1917. The lesser cornstalk borer. U.S. Department of Agriculture Bulletin 539. 27 pp.

Lynch RE, Klun JA, Leonhardt BA, Schwarz M, Garner JW. 1984. Female sex pheromone of the lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Environmental Entomology 13: 121-126.

Mack TP, Backman CB. 1984. Effects of temperature and adult age on the oviposition rate of Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), the lesser cornstalk borer. Environmental Entomology. 13: 966-969.

Mack TP, Davis DP, Backman CB. 1991. Predicting lesser cornstalk borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larval density from estimates of adult abundance in peanut fields. Journal of Entomological Science 26: 223-230.

Mack TP, Davis DP, Lynch RE. 1993. Development of a system to time scouting for the lesser cornstalk borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) attacking peanuts in the southeastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology 86: 164-173.

Metcalf CL, Flint WP, Metalf RL. 1962. Lesser cornstalk borer, pp. 497-498. In Destructive and useful insects. McGraw-Hill Book Company, San Francisco, CA.

Nuessly GS, Webb SE. (2007). Insect management for sweet corn. EDIS. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG158 (7 May 2020).

Riley CV. 1882. The smaller corn stalk-borer. U. S. Department of Agriculture Report 1881: 142-145.

Sanchez, Louis O. 1960. The biology and control of the lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus.

Schaaf AC. 1974. Jumping borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, pp. 31-34. In Handbook of pests of sugarcane. Tech Bull 1/75. Sugar Industry Research Institute Mandeville, Jamaica.

Smith JW Jr, Barfield CS. 1982. Management of preharvest insects, pp. 250- 325. In Pattee HE, Young CT (editors), Peanut science and technology. American Peanut Research Education Society, Yoakum, TX.

Smith Jr JW, Johnson SJ, Sams RL. 1981. Spatial distribution of lesser cornstalk borer eggs in peanuts. Environmental Entomology 10: 192-193.

Smith Jr JW, Johnson SJ. 1989. Natural mortality of the lesser cornstalk borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in a peanut agroecosystem. Environmental Entomology 18: 69-77.).

Tippins HH. 1982. A Review of Information on the Lesser Cornstalk Borer Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller). Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Special Publication 17. 65 pp.

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Angoumois Grain Moth

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Article author: John Jackman
Most recently reviewed by: Pat Porter (2018)

Common Name(s): Angoumois Grain Moth, Grain moth

Description

Angoumois grain moths are occasionally found as pantry pests in homes, but they can be serious pests in commercial grain storage. Adult moths are a buff, tan or golden color and about 1/3 inch long. The wing span is 1/2 inch, rear edges of wings are fringed. Larvae are white with a yellowish to brown head and dark reddish-brown mouthparts. Larvae bore into kernels of cereal grains, pupate and emerge through a hole cut on the outer surface of the kernel.

Origin and Distribution

Grain storage, warehouses, bins, and pantries. Larvae feed on many types of whole grains. They prefer damp grain over dry grain.

Habitat & Hosts

They feed on stored grain, especially whole corn. The larvae require whole kernels or caked material for development. They bore into the kernel, pupate and emerge through a hole cut on the outer surface of the kernel. They are active at low temperatures and prefer barley, rye, corn, oats, rice and various seeds.

Life Cycle

Angoumois grain moth has a complete life cycle; egg, larva, pupa and adult, and it takes about about 5 weeks to complete development.  Adults can fly and are attracted to lights.

Management

If you live in the State of Texas, contact your local county agent or entomologist for management information. If you live outside of Texas, contact your local extension for management options.

In commercial/agricultural grain storage, control is complicated and requires the fundamental pest management steps of bin sanitation, grain leveling, aeration, monitoring etc. These things are beyond this fact sheet.

In homes and restaurants, control is simpler.

Nonchemical control.

The first step in controlling pantry pests is to find and eliminate infested items. Often all that is needed to solve the problem is to remove an infested package of flour, macaroni, or cake mix. But finding the source of an infestation is not always easy. Infested packages are usually the oldest, most difficult to reach foods in the pantry. Even unopened containers may be infested; some pests can easily penetrate plastic, waxed paper, and cardboard containers. Before buying an item in the store, check that the bag or container is well sealed and undamaged.

Good sanitation is important. Infestations often start in pet foods, spilled grains, or other foods. Clean up spilled food promptly. Discard old packages of grain and pasta. Vacuum and clean pantry areas periodically to remove spilled foods. Remove and clean underneath shelf paper. Caulk around pantry edges and in cracks and crevices to reduce areas where spilled food may collect.

Most pantry pest problems can be prevented by using all dried food within 2 to 4 months of purchase. Spices and other products kept for longer periods should be sealed in airtight containers.

Pet food can be a special problem.  The most commonly infested pantry items are birdseed and dog and cat foods. Store pet foods in well-sealed plastic buckets or storage containers and use them promptly. Clean the containers thoroughly before refilling them with food.

Occasionally, mice or other rodents can cause a persistent beetle infestation. Hoarded seed and grain in abandoned rodent nests can support a small population of pests. Old rodent bait that contains grain also can harbor insects. When controlling rodents, prevent insect problems by placing the bait where it can be retrieved and discarded after the rodents are controlled.

Heat or cold treatments can eliminate pests in some food items such as pet food, bulk grains and beans, and home-grown dried beans or peas. Put the product in the oven at 130 degrees F for 1 hour, or in the freezer for 7 to 14 days. To prevent an infestation, store foods that may attract pantry pests in the refrigerator or freezer.

Chemical control

On rare occasions, insecticides may be needed to control difficult infestations. Insecticides can reach inaccessible areas that cannot be easily cleaned; they can also help reduce heavy pest infestations more quickly.

Insecticide sprays may be applied to crevices and void areas around cupboards, drawers, and pantries. Before spraying, remove all food products, utensils, and containers from the treatment area. Allow the spray to dry before placing clean shelf paper on the shelves and returning food, utensils, or containers to the pantry.

Insecticide products that are labeled for use in food- storage areas generally contain ingredients that are short-lived and relatively safe to use in the home. Active ingredients of these products include pyrethrins, resmethrin, allethrin, and tetramethrin.

For areas where long-term residual control is de- sired, look for products containing synthetic pyrethroids, such as permethrin, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, or bifenthrin. Aerosol fog products can temporarily suppress infestations of flying insects, but these fogs will not kill pantry pests in food containers or protected locations.

Before using an insecticide, always make sure that the label says that the product may be used indoors and in kitchens. Never spray food, dishes, utensils, or cooking items with pesticides.

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