Damage based identification key for endophagous herbivores on Common Reed (Phragmites australis)

Biology: Larvae hatch within a fortnight after oviposition during summer and feed first in upper internodes of common reed shoots. Older larvae bore in lower shoot and upper rhizome internodes. The Reed stalk borer hibernates twice as larva and pupates after the second winter in base internodes with the head upwards. Adults emerge during summer through a 3-5 mm large window prepared by the larva (picture 33). Eggs are laid on leaves of common reed (picture 38).

Description: Larvae up to 5 cm long (picture 18 and 58) (usually 3 cm), head light brown, larval body whitish with usually 5 brown longitudinal lines; larvae solitary; we found a second type of larvae that were usually smaller, with only 4 longitudinal lines (however, adults were identified as Chilo phragmitellus by a specialist); pupae light brown with spikes at the end; females are beige colored (picture 31), males darker brown with black spots.

Feeding pattern/damage: Feeding by young larvae usually does not cause big damage. Infested internodes show small feeding marks and traces of fine whitish feces. Later on, larval feeding causes premature wilting of leaves or shoot death.

Distribution: Europe, Asia


References: Goater, 1986; Häfliger et al., 2001