BULLETi:^r ^o. 178. 



DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



THE EUROPEAN CORN BORER, 



Pyrausta nuhilalis Hiibner, 



A RECENTLY ESTABLISHED 'PEST IN MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY S. C. VINAL. 



Nearly every year we find a new insect pest of foreign origin has become 

 established in some section of the United States. To the long list of Euro- 

 pean pests now found in Massachusetts this article adds one more, — 

 the European com borer or corn pyralid, Pyrausta nuhilalis Hiibner, 

 recently established in the vicinity of Boston, Mass. This species has 

 long been recorded as one of the most serious enemies to maize culture in 

 Europe, and if not checked may in time become a very serious pest to 

 America's great corn crop. 



Discovery and Identification. 



During the past summer the writer found many corn plants in the 

 vicinity of Boston, Mass., being tunneled by light colored caterpillars, the 

 identity of which was unknown. During July nearly every infested plant 

 could be readily detected, having its tassel broken over and hanging pen- 

 dent just above the first two or three spikes. This was due to the larval 

 tunnels in the pith of the main tassel stalk so weakening it that the wind 

 readily blew it over. 



Early in August moths emerged from pupae collected in the field, and 

 having Dr. C. H. Fernald's collection of both native and exotic moths 

 available, a successful attempt was made to determine the species. Speci- 

 mens of both male and female pyralid moths which corresponded identi- 

 cally to those obtained from infested corn stalks in eastern Massachusetts 

 were found in his European collection. These were determined by M. 

 Ragonet, a French lepidopterist, and were labeled Pyrausta (Botys) 

 nuhilalis Hiibner. Further proof of the identity of this moth was obtained 

 by submitting specimens to Mr. H. G. Dyar of the United States National 

 Museum, Washington, D. C, who determined them to be Pyrausta 

 nuhilalis Hiibner, a native of Europe. 



