Spotted stalk borer

Chilo partellus, the spotted stalk borer, is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Charles Swinhoe in 1885. It is found in India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and on Mayotte. C. partellus is a pest that was introduced to Africa most likely from India in the early 20th century. After arriving in Africa, it has spread to nearly all countries in eastern and southern Africa, and it is assumed that it is spreading to western Africa. C. partellus is indigenous to Asia and became established in eastern Africa in the early 1930s. C. partellus is one of the most economically damaging pests in Asia and Africa, attacking all parts of the plant except the roots. C. partellus has rapidly spread over a wide geographical range and has proven to be a very efficient colonizer and devastating pest wherever it may occur. In general, C. partellus occurs in low to mid-elevations (less than 1500 m) and warmer areas. However, they can now be found in higher elevations such as Ethiopia at 2088 m. C. partellus is highly invasive and can fully or partially displace other indigenous stemborer species such as Busseola fusca and Chilo orichalcociliellus. Temperature and humidity can have a significant impact on the survival and establishment of adult C. partellus in new ecological niches. C. partellus is a generalist herbivore that feeds on several species of cultivated and wild plants. Eggs are flat and oval and look creamy white and are about 0.8 mm in length. Larvae of C. partellus resemble caterpillars and can be creamy white to yellowish brown. These larvae also have four purple-brown longitudinal stripes and are usually found with characteristically dark brown spots along the back, therefore giving off a spotted appearance. When the larvae of the spotted stalk borer are fully grown, they produce a conspicuous reddish-brown head. It has a plate on the dorsal surface of the thorax which is known as a prothoracic shield and is reddish brown to dark brown and shiny.