Sugar-cane Moth
Common NameSugar-cane Moth
Scientific NameChilo sacchariphagus
FamilyCrambidae
SubfamilyCrambinae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, tan
HabitatSugarcane fields, grasslands, agricultural areas
Geographic RangeSoutheast Asia, Indian Ocean islands (e.g., Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar), parts of Africa, Indian subcontinent
Host Plantssugarcane, maize, rice, sorghum, wild grasses
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical climates, multiple generations
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are stem borers, primarily infesting sugarcane, causing significant damage to crops. The life cycle includes egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages, with multiple generations per year.
Identification TipsLook for its characteristic slender body, long antennae, and narrow, mottled brown wings, often found resting on or near sugarcane plants or other large grasses.
Description
A slender moth with long, narrow, light to dark brown wings held close to its body, featuring a mottled or streaked cryptic pattern for camouflage.
