Feeding and Pupation Sites of Diatraea lineolata, D. saccharalis, and Eoreuma loftini (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Relation to Corn Phenology

Abstract

Location of larvae and pupae of the stalkborers Diatraea lineolata (Walker), D. saccharalis (F.), and Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) at different growth stages of corn was determined for the spring and fall growing seasons in northeastern Mexico. Feeding habits and movements within the plant varied with stalkborer species, larval stages, corn phenology, and growing seasons. However, feeding behavior of all species appeared typical for pyralid corn stalkborers; small larvae fed on tender and succulent tissues (whorls, leaves, leaf sheaths, developing ears), and mid sized larvae began tunneling into the stalks. Most large larvae were found in the stalks with few in the ears. Pupation occurred at the sites where the ultimate instars were feeding. E. loftini occurred more frequently in leaf sheaths than the other two species. In contrast, D. lineolata and D. saccharalis were found more frequently in the ears than E. loftini.