Vegetable Caterpillar vs African Sugarcane Borer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vegetable Caterpillar | African Sugarcane Borer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophiocordyceps robertsii | Eldana saccharina |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Hepialidae | Pyralidae |
| Size | 50-100 mm (caterpillar plus fungal stalk) | 20-30 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Wetlands |
| Diet | Fungus Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand) | Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Vegetable Caterpillar
The host of this relationship is the caterpillar of the native moth Aenetus virescens, parasitized by the endemic Cordyceps fungus. The fungus invades and mummifies the caterpillar underground, then sends a fruiting body to the surface. It was known to Maori as awhato.
Did You Know?
Maori prized the vegetable caterpillar as a pigment source, grinding the fungus-caterpillar combination to produce a blue-black tattoo ink.
African Sugarcane Borer
The most important pest of sugarcane in sub-Saharan Africa. Larvae bore into sugarcane stalks, reducing sugar content and yield.
Did You Know?
It originally fed on indigenous wetland grasses before switching to cultivated sugarcane.