Description

Adult

Wingspan of 34-44 mm. Forewings greyish-ochreous , veins pale lined with brown. A short black stripe basally in middle of wing. A white kidney shaped stigma is present and a white speck is present in the middle of the wing. Hindwings are white.

Larvae

Length of 35-40 mm when fully grown. Reddish grey with a yellowish shade between segments. A double, grey fine dorsal line present. Sub dorsal lines interrupted and clearer towards the anal segments. Spiracles ringed with black.

Eggs

Laid in batches of up to 100 between leaf sheaths and stems. Eggs hatch in ca. 5 days.

Distribution

Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Oceania

Economic Host(s)

Maize (Zea), wheat (Triticum), oats (Avena) and rice (Oryza).

Symptoms/Signs

Leaves are skeletonized by young larvae while later instars will eat entire leaves and bore into hearts of wheat and barley. May also feed on flower spikes. Frass is conspicuous

Generations:

Up to 7