Tetramoera schistaceana (Snellen) (Tortricidae: Olethreutinae: Enarmoniini)
Common names: gray sugarcane borer, sugarcane shoot borer
FWL: 4.5–7.0 mm
Forewings are grayish brown with numerous longitudinal tan, gray, and brown lines. In fresh individuals the ocellus is outlined faintly in black and has numerous strong black dashes. Males lack a forewing costal fold. The hindwings are brown.
Male genitalia are characterized by dense clusters of long setae at the dorsal apex of the tegumen; valvae with a large basal lobe, giving the valvae a distinctly bifurcate appearance; and a robust, stout phallus. Female genitalia are characterized by a weakly sclerotized sterigma and a signum present in the corpus bursae as a scobinate patch.
The following account is summarized from Williams (1953)Williams (1953):
Williams, J. R. 1953. The larvae and pupae of some important Lepidoptera. Bulletin of Entomological Research. 43: 691-701..
Last instar larvae are approximately 25 mm long with a pale whitish abdomen. The head is dark brown. Distinguishing features include: pinacula small and pigmented; abdominal SD1 and SD2 setae on same pinacula; L1 seta longer than L3 on abdomen; SV pinacula trisetose on A7 and bisetose on A9; anal comb absent.
Detailed figures of larval chaetotaxy are available in Williams (1953)Williams (1953):
Williams, J. R. 1953. The larvae and pupae of some important Lepidoptera. Bulletin of Entomological Research. 43: 691-701..
Seven Tetramoera species are present in Asia and Australasia, all with similar wing patterns. One more species occurs in Madagascar. A genitalic dissection can be used to confirm identity.
Tetramoera schistaceana is distributed throughout Asia (China, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, and several smaller islands). Diakonoff (1967)Diakonoff (1967):
Diakonoff, A. 1967. Microlepidoptera of the Philippine Islands. U.S. National Museum Bulletin 257: 1-484. lists T. schistaceana as present in Madagascar and Hawaii, but these records could not be confirmed. No vouchers of Tetramoera from Hawaii could be located in the Hawaii Department of Agriculture collection, portions of which were acquired from the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association.
Larvae of T. schistaceana are occasionally intercepted at United States ports of entry on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) originating from Asia.
The following account is summarized from BSESBSES:
BSES. [unspecified]. Dossier on Tetramoera schistaceana as a pest of sugarcane. https://silo.tips/download/fig-1-tetramoera-schistaceana-damage-symptoms-nader-sallam-bses [accessed 24 Jan 2021]..
Females lay eggs singly or in small batches on leaves and leaf sheaths. Larvae tunnel into stems of young plants and create irregular tunnels near the surface. Larvae may also feed on leaves. Pupation occurs in a cocoon spun in a hole in the leaf sheath. Larval damage is characterized by distorted shoots, death of the meristem, and broken stems.
Larvae of T. schistaceana feed primarily on sugarcane and are considered a major pest of sugarcane in Asia.
Authors: KA Austin, TM Gilligan, ME Epstein
Content last updated May 2025
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