Rice Stem Borer vs Large-headed Resin Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rice Stem Borer Large-headed Resin Bee
Scientific Name Scirpophaga incertulas Heriades truncorum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crambidae Megachilidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 6-8 mm
Habitat Wetlands Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) Europe, Western 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.

Large-headed Resin Bee

A tiny black resin bee with a disproportionately large head that nests in beetle holes and hollow stems. It uses plant resin to construct partitions between brood cells.

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Did You Know?

Its oversized head allows it to perfectly plug the entrance of its narrow nest cavity like a living door.