Rice Stem Borer vs Blue Shieldbug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rice Stem Borer Blue Shieldbug
Scientific Name Scirpophaga incertulas Zicrona caerulea
Order Lepidoptera Hemiptera
Family Crambidae Pentatomidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 5-8 mm
Habitat Wetlands Wetlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rice Stem Borer

A small white moth whose larvae bore into rice stems, causing the devastating symptoms known as 'dead heart' in vegetative stage and 'white ear' in reproductive stage. It is one of the most serious pests of rice in Asia.

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Did You Know?

A single larva can destroy an entire rice tiller by boring into the stem and feeding on internal tissue from the inside out.

Blue Shieldbug

A metallic blue-green predatory stink bug found across Europe and Asia. It specializes in hunting flea beetles and other small chrysomelid beetles on low vegetation.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the very few stink bugs in Europe with a brilliant metallic blue sheen, making it unmistakable.