Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke, 1832)
(one synonym : Tinea marginella)
Lima Bean Pod Borer
 PHYCITINI , PHYCITINAE ,  PYRALIDAE

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

(updated 13 October 2008)


(Photo: courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Andhra Pradesh)

This Caterpillar is a cosmopolitan pest on various beans ( FABACEAE ) such as:

  • Mung Beans ( Vigna radiata ),
  • Lima Beans ( Phaseolus lunatus ), and
  • Soy Beans ( Glycine max ),

    as well as

  • Gingko fruit ( Ginkgo biloba, GINKGOACEAE ).

    It feeds on the seeds inside the pod. The Caterpillar is off-white with a dark head.


    (Photo: courtesy of Department of Agriculture, Andhra Pradesh)

    The adult moth is brown with a yellow costa to each forewing. The wingspan is about 2 cms. Its pheromones have been elucidated.

    Although found around the world, for example in:

  • Canada,
  • Honduras,
  • Hong Kong,
  • Indonesia,
  • Jamaica,
  • Japan, and
  • Thailand,
    so far it is found only in
  • Queensland in Australia.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 350.

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