Description

Adult

Wingspan of 18-25 mm and a body length of ca. 11 mm. Forewings usually with longitudinal dark brown banding. Males have a dark brown spot near the apex of forewing. Hindwings are paler and typically a brighter shade.

Larvae

Final instars reach 21-26 mm in length. Body is a dirty white to transparent colour. The head is reddish-brown and the prothoracic plate is brownish. Brown dorsal plates are present on abdominal segments 2 and 3.

Eggs

Not described.

Distribution

Europe, eastern Asia, parts of northern and southern Africa, South America, Central America and the USA.

Economic Host(s)

A range of different plants including banana, pineapple, maize, sugarcane and cultivated plants and flowers.

Symptoms/Signs

Larvae tunnel into woody or fleshy stems of host to feed. Infested tissues may feel soft and leaves begin to wilt. Infested plants may lose their leaves and/or collapse.

Generations:

Up to 8