Ostrinia scapulalis

Description

Ostrinia scapulalis, the adzuki bean borer or adzuki bean worm, is a species of moth in the Crambidae family. It was described by Francis Walker in 1859. It is one of 20 moths in the genus Ostrinia and is of Eurasian origin. The larvae have a gray mid-dorsal line and can be light pink or beige. The adult adzuki bean borer has a yellowish-brown forewing with jagged lines and variable darker shading, with a wingspan that ranges from 20 to 32 mm. The moths of this species are nocturnal and tend to be attracted to light. The larvae mainly feed on Artemisia vulgaris, but may also feed on maize. Before boring the stalks of their host plant, early instar larvae graze on young plant tissues that are mostly apical. They are typically found in corn fields, gardens, and commercial crop plantations and they are usually active from April to October. They are primarily found in Japan, although they can be found in other regions of Asia and Europe as well.