Maruca vitrata (Fabricius, 1787)
(one synonym : Crochiphora testulalis Geyer, 1832)
Beanpod Borer
 SPILOMELINI   ,     PYRAUSTINAE   ,     CRAMBIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Stella Crossley & Bart Hacobian


The caterpillars of this species are pale yellow with a pale brown head. The caterpillars are a considerable agricultural pest, feeding inside the developing seedpods of various members of the family FABACEAE, such as :

  • Pidgeon Peas ( Cajanus cajan ),
  • Beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ),
  • Garden Peas ( Pisum sativum ),
  • Cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata ),

    and the Australian native :

  • Coffeeweed ( Sesbania exaltata ).

    The adult moth has brown forewings with white patches, and white hind wings with an irregular brown border. The moth has a wingspan of about 2 cms.

    It is found over much of the tropics, including:

  • Africa,
  • Hawaii,
  • India, and
  • Taiwan,
    and all over Australia, including :
  • Queensland,
  • Victoria, and
  • Tasmania.

    Control is being attempted using:

  • insecticides,
  • various natural parasitoids, and
  • a special light trap.

    Actually two forms of Maruca vitrata are present in Australia.


    second Australian form

    Although the species is an international economic pest, uncertainty exists as to whether the two distinct forms present in Australia are separate species, and if they are, which one is actually the pest species. Currently, they appear to occur over the whole of Australia.

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    (updated 26 March 2011)