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European Corn Borer larva
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: European Corn Borer - larva
See also: adult | damage

Scientific Name: Pyralidae: Ostrinia nubilalis

Status: pest of field corn

Damaging Stage: caterpillar

Biology: Adults are small, tan, and approximately ½ inch in length. They hold their wings in a triangular shape at rest. Females have a thick body and light-colored wings, males have darker tan wings and a thinner body. European corn borer larvae are either a light tan or pink color. They have distinctive small, round brown spots on each segment. Mature larvae can reach a length of 1 inch.

European corn borers overwinter as larvae in corn stalks left from the previous growing season. As temperatures increase, the larvae enter the pupal stages for two weeks before developing into adults. The adults generally emerge in late summer. There are two generations per year.