Moodna bisinuella
editA new state record, Moodna bisinuella Hampson, was recently discovered in Louisiana corn fields.A short note by Neunzig (1985) reported the insect was eradicated right after the insect was identified in Carolina. This insect species was first introduced from Mexico along with gama grass (Tripsacum sp.) plants into North Carolina in 1984 (Neunzig 1985).
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animal
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pyralidae
Morphology of M.bisinuella
Larva: The larva appears to be the damaging stage of this insect. Larval color ranges from pale red to dark green with most heads being dark brown. Mature larvae are about1.5 cm long.
Pupa: Pupae are cylindrical and about 0.9 cm in length. Young pupae are green and become reddish-brown prior to adult eclosion.
Adult: Moths have a wing span of about 1.7 cm. The forewings are dark brown with an obscure transverse line. Hind-wings are cream-colored with a smoky colored apical area.
Larvae
Puape
Adults
Reference:
Neunzig, H. H. 1985. Notes on the larva and biology of Moodna bisinuella Hampson (Pyralidae: Phycitinae). J. Lep. Soc. 39: 9-12.