Southwestern Corn Borer vs European Spruce Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southwestern Corn Borer | European Spruce Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Diatraea grandiosella | Gilpinia hercyniae |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Diprionidae |
| Size | 25-35 mm wingspan | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Omnivores |
| Regions | Southern United States, Mexico | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Southwestern Corn Borer
A pale moth whose larvae bore into corn stalks and girdle stems from the inside, causing extensive lodging. It is a major corn pest in the southern Great Plains of the United States.
Did You Know?
Overwintering larvae girdle the corn stalk from the inside, deliberately weakening it so the stalk falls and provides insulated shelter.
European Spruce Sawfly
A moderately sized sawfly with dark brown to black coloring and pectinate antennae in males. Larvae are green with white lateral stripes and feed on spruce needles.
Did You Know?
After its introduction to North America in the 1920s, it caused massive spruce defoliation until a naturally occurring nuclear polyhedrosis virus brought populations under control.