Busseola fusca is a species of moth that is also known as the maize stalk borer. [1] [2] It is known from Ethiopia. The wingspan is 35–40 mm. Adults are pale brown. The caterpillars are light or dark violet to pinkish white and about 1 to 2 ½ cm. The caterpillars feed in the leaf hearts (leaf funnels) at the vegetative crop stage.

Symptoms of maize stalk borer, Busseola fusca, damage on leaves: (A) characteristic “window panes,” (B) shot holes where tissue has been eaten away, and (D) dead heart. Symptoms of damage to stems and cobs: (C) galleries filled with frass, (E) cobs showing frass, and (F) deposits and empty grains. Photos: Courtesy of icipe. Morphology.

The maize stem borer is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa where it is found throughout. In East and southern Africa, it occurs in mixed populations with other stem borer species such as Chilo partellus and Sesamia calamitis but is the dominant species at …

Maize stalk borers are common pests throughout sub-Saharan Africa. There are three main species of stalk borers which attack maize: the African maize stalk borer (also attacks sorghum); the spotted stem borer (also attacks sorghum, bulrush millet, sugarcane and rice) and the African pink stem borer (also attacks finger millet, sugarcane and rice).

Apr 15, 2022 · Stalk borer (Busseola fusca) is the most important insect pest to most cereal crops e.g., maize in Africa, especially in Kenya. It belongs to the Noctuidae family of moths, which includes the cutworms and armyworms.

The southern cornstalk borer is one of the most damaging maize insects in the southern states. Maize infested by the borer is twisted and stunted, and the stalk at the surface of the ground may be enlarged.

In this article, we will briefly outline the challenges of dealing with Stalk borer in our maize crops. Identification of Stalk borer in maize. The best method to identify whether there is a Stalk borer infestation in your maize, is to scout and inspect your land. Try and scout in a grid pattern to get an overall picture of the field.

Jul 8, 2014 · PDF | Busseola fusca (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important pest of maize and sorghum in sub-Saharan Africa. One century after its first description... | Find, read and cite all the research...

The African maize stalkborer is indigenous to and occurs throughout mainland sub-Saharan Africa. Maize and sorghum are its main crop hosts. The larval stage (caterpillars) cause damage to maize by feeding on young leaves from where they can enter the stems. This may kill the plant. In older plants their feeding can damage can reduce grain ...

Nov 16, 2021 · The effect of different maize genotypes on the maize stalk-borer, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), feeding in whorl tissue. Journal of the Entomological Society of Southern Africa, 48(1):113-119