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Title: Keys to immatures of the Sugarcane Borer and Neotropical Cornstalk Borer from Mexico intercepted on corn in Southeastern Texas

Author
item RILEY, DONALD - APHIS, PPQ, USDA, TEXAS
item Solis, M Alma

Submitted to: Southwestern Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2004
Publication Date: 3/30/2005
Citation: Riley, D.R., Solis, M.A. 2005. Keys to immatures of the Sugarcane Borer and Neotropical Cornstalk Borer from Mexico intercepted on corn in Southeastern Texas. Southwestern Entomologist. 30(1):35-39.

Interpretive Summary: Snout moth caterpillars bore into many grass crops such as sugarcane, corn, and sorghum in the Western Hemisphere and cause millions of dollars of damage. These caterpillars and pupae are intercepted on fresh corn from Mexico for local consumption. This study identified species that were being intercepted at south Texas ports. An identification tool, a key, was developed with caterpillar and pupal structures that were found to separate the two species. This information will be useful to action agency identifiers, pest managers, and other scientists.

Technical Abstract: Diatraea larvae and pupae intercepted on corn from northeastern Mexico at south Texas ports of entry were reared to adults and identified as the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) and the neotropical cornstalk borer (Diatraea lineolata). Keys to aid in the identification of larvae and pupae of these two species are presented.