Rice Stem Borer vs Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rice Stem Borer Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet
Scientific Name Scirpophaga incertulas Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Geometridae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 22-28 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) Europe
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.

💡

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.

Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet

A common but variable carpet moth found in gardens and hedgerows. Wing pattern ranges from pale to very dark. Larvae feed on bedstraws and other low plants.

💡

Did You Know?

So variable in appearance that dark and light forms were once described as separate species.