Black-dot Diatraea
Common NameBlack-dot Diatraea
Scientific NameDiatraea saccharalis
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilyCrambinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Primary Colorspale yellow, brown
HabitatAgricultural fields, grasslands, especially sugarcane, corn, and rice fields
Geographic RangeSouthern United States, Central America, South America, Caribbean
Host Plantssugarcane, corn, rice, sorghum, various grasses
Flight PeriodMultiple generations per year, active year-round in tropical climates; May to October in temperate regions
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are stem borers, feeding inside the stalks of host plants, which can cause significant damage to crops. Pupation occurs within the host plant stem.
Identification TipsKey features include the pale, straw-colored forewings with subtle brown streaking and the characteristic single small black dot on each forewing. The prominent, forward-projecting labial palps are also a good indicator.
Description
A small to medium-sized moth with pale yellow to straw-colored forewings, often marked with faint longitudinal brown streaks and a distinctive small black dot near the center of each forewing.
