Eldana

Eldana
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Genus: Eldana
Walker, 1865[1]
Species:
E. saccharina
Binomial name
Eldana saccharina
Walker, 1865
Synonyms
  • Ancylosidia Strand, 1913
  • Ancylosidia conipyga Strand, 1913

Eldana is a genus of moths of the family Pyralidae containing only one species, the African sugar-cane borer (Eldana saccharina), which is commonly found in Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and South Africa.[2] Adults have a wingspan of 35mm. This species is particularly relevant to humans because the larvae are a pest of the Saccharum species as well as several grain crops such as sorghum and maize.[3] Other recorded host plants are cassava, rice and Cyperus species. When attacking these crops, E. saccharina bores into the stems of their host plant, causing severe damage to the crop. This behavior is the origin of the E. saccharrina's common name, the African sugar-cane borer. The African sugar-cane borer is a resilient pest, as it can survive crop burnings. Other methods such as intercropping and parasitic wasps have been employed to prevent further damage to crops.

  1. ^ "GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  2. ^ De Prins, J.; De Prins, W. (2017). "Eldana saccharina Walker, 1865". Afromoths. Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  3. ^ Walker (2008-02-08). "Padil". Padil. Retrieved 2011-10-10.