Parapoynx stagnalis
{{Short description|Species of moth}}
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| image = Parapoynx stagnalis (Zeller, 1852) Crambidae, Acentropinae (8240305369).jpg
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| taxon = Parapoynx stagnalis
| authority = (Zeller, 1852)
| synonyms =
- Nymphula stagnalis Zeller, 1852
- Cataclysta vestigialis Snellen, 1880
- Hydrocampa depunctalis Guenée, 1854
- Hydrocampa hilli Tepper, 1890
- Nymphula depunctalis Guenée, 1854
- Zebronia decussalis Walker, 1859
}}
Parapoynx stagnalis, the rice case bearer or rice caseworm, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It has a wide distribution and is found in India, Sri Lanka, South-East Asia, South Africa, South America, southern Europe (Spain and Greece), Russia and Australia (the Northern Territory and Queensland).
Description
The life cycle is completed in about 35–40 days. The length of the forewings is 15 mm. Adult has whitish wings with pale brown wavy markings. There are two black comma-shaped marks on each forewing. Male can be identified by narrow and uniform abdomen, whereas female abdomen is widest at the middle but tapering posteriorly.{{cite web |url=https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20013171480 |title=Biology of rice caseworm Nymphula depunctalis (Guenee). |publisher=CAB International |accessdate=11 March 2017}} Female usually lay 150 eggs and first instar larvae emerge after a week. Final larva emerge after 20 days, and reaches its maximum length of 10-12mm. The moth has six larval instars. Due to branched tubular gills, caterpillars can respire in aquatic media. Therefore, instar can disperse through water. Pupation occurs when the pupal case is attached to the leaf sheath above the water level. After a week of pupation, adult emerges.{{cite web |url=http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/index.php?option=com_zoo&task=item&item_id=933&Itemid=757 |title=Rice caseworm |publisher=Rice Knowledge Bank |accessdate=11 March 2017}}
Ecology
As its common name implies, rice caseworm is one of the major pests of rice throughout the world.[http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymh/stagnal.html Australian Insects] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712045022/http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymh/stagnal.html |date=2012-07-12 }} Larvae are the infective stage, where they cut leaf tips to make leaf cases. The infestation can be characterized by ladder-like skeletonized tissues in leaves.{{cite web |url=http://www.nabg-nbaii.res.in/insectinfo/details.php?nbaiiuid=INI009A |title=Nymphula depunctalis |publisher=Insect pest info |accessdate=11 March 2017}} Larvae completely consume the leaf blade, where only mid rib is visible. Surrounding weeds are the secondary hosts for the moth.[http://www.plantwise.org/?dsid=44593&loadmodule=plantwisedatasheet&page=4270&site=234 plantwise.org] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120915104001/http://www.plantwise.org/?dsid=44593&loadmodule=plantwisedatasheet&page=4270&site=234 |date=2012-09-15 }}
Control
Eggs of rice caseworm can be controlled by using snails. Larvae can be controlled by using many natural predators like water beetles of the families Hydrophilidae and Dytiscidae. Pupal stages can be eradicate by the introduction of Pediobius and Apsilops species. Adult moths are daily meal for many spiders, insect eating bird species and dragonflies. Other than biological methods, many traditional methods such as reducing the water level of paddy fields, crop rotation, crop sanitation, pruning, light traps and hand picking are also effective. Chemicals such as DDT, BHC or Carbaryl can be used in required concentrations.{{cite web |url=http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/zoology/rice-caseworm-nymphula-depunctalis-life-cycle-nature-and-distribution/23855/ |title=Rice Caseworm (Nymphula Depunctalis): Life Cycle, Nature and Distribution |work=Your Article Library |publisher=YourArticleLibrary.com |accessdate=11 March 2017|date=2014-01-18 }}
References
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External links
- [http://www.cabi.org/isc/abstract/19880546288 Yield loss in rice caused by the caseworm Nymphula depunctalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).]
- [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259378953_Natural_Enemies_of_the_Rice_Caseworm_Nymphula_Depunctalis_Guenee_Lepidoptera_Pyralidae Natural Enemies of the Rice Caseworm Nymphula Depunctalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)]
- [http://agropedia.iitk.ac.in/category/crop-taxonomy/rice/protection-technology/biotic-stress/insect-pest/rice-caseworm/nymphula-depunctalis Research on Nymphula depunctalis]
- [http://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=US201302674682 Yield loss in rice caused by the caseworm Nymphula depunctalis]
- [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0958315031000110319 Effect of Stocked Fish on Rice Leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Rice Caseworm Nymphula depunctalis Populations in Intensive Rice Culture]
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Category:Moths described in 1852
Category:Lepidoptera of Mozambique