Rice Stem Borer vs Woodland Brown

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rice Stem Borer Woodland Brown
Scientific Name Scirpophaga incertulas Lopinga achine
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crambidae Nymphalidae
Size 20-25 mm wingspan 48-56 mm wingspan
Habitat Wetlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) Central and eastern Europe, temperate Asia
Conservation Least Concern Near Threatened

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.

Woodland Brown

A large brown butterfly with prominent yellow-ringed eyespots along the margins of both wings. It is one of Europe's most threatened butterflies due to changes in woodland management.

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Did You Know?

It requires a very specific habitat of partially shaded grassy woodland that is now vanishingly rare.