European corn borer | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Crambidae |
Genus: | Ostrinia |
Species: | O. nubilalis
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Binomial name | |
Ostrinia nubilalis | |
Synonyms | |
List
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The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis), also known as the European corn worm or European high-flyer, is a moth of the family Crambidae. It is a pest of grain, particularly maize (Zea mays). The insect is native to Europe, originally infesting varieties of millet, including broom corn. The European corn borer was first reported in North America in 1917 in Massachusetts, but was probably introduced from Europe several years earlier.[2] Since its initial discovery in the Americas, the insect has spread into Canada and westwards across the United States to the Rocky Mountains.
The adult European corn borer is about 25 millimetres (0.98 in) long with a 26–30 millimetres (1.0–1.2 in)[3] wingspan. The female is light yellowish brown with dark, irregular, wavy bands across the wings. The male is slightly smaller and darker.
European corn borer caterpillars damage corn by chewing tunnels through many parts of the plant, leading to a decrease in agricultural yield.