Spotted Stem Borer vs Eye Gnat
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spotted Stem Borer | Eye Gnat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chilo partellus | Liohippelates pusio |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Crambidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm wingspan | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia | Southern United States, Central America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Spotted Stem Borer
A straw-colored moth whose larvae bore into stems of maize and sorghum in Africa and Asia. It can cause total crop failure in heavily infested fields.
Did You Know?
The push-pull pest management system, using Desmodium and Napier grass, was developed primarily to combat this borer.
Eye Gnat
A tiny, shiny black fly attracted to eye and wound secretions of humans and animals. It is a suspected mechanical vector of bacterial conjunctivitis and yaws in tropical regions. Its persistent swarming around the face makes it an extremely annoying pest in agricultural areas.
Did You Know?
These flies are so strongly attracted to eye secretions that they will persistently return to a person's face even after being brushed away dozens of times.