Northern Corn Rootworm vs Sugarcane Borer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Northern Corn Rootworm Sugarcane Borer
Scientific Name Diabrotica barberi Diatraea saccharalis
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Crambidae
Size 4-6 mm 20-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America Americas
Conservation Not Evaluated Not Evaluated

Northern Corn Rootworm

A pale green beetle whose larvae attack corn root systems. It can survive crop rotation by extending egg diapause for two years.

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Did You Know?

Its eggs can remain dormant in soil for over two years, defeating traditional crop rotation strategies.

Sugarcane Borer

A straw-colored moth whose larvae bore into sugarcane stalks, causing yield losses and allowing disease organisms to enter. It is the most important sugarcane pest in the Western Hemisphere.

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Did You Know?

The parasitoid fly Cotesia flavipes was introduced from Asia to control this borer and has been remarkably successful in Brazil.