European Corn-borer - Ostrinia nubilalis

Description

Wingspan 26 to 30 mm. The males are darker than the females, and usually slightly smaller.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Areas where the food plant occurs.

When to see it

The single generation flies in June and July.

Life History

The main foodplant in Britain is Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), although abroad it is often a pest on maize crops.

UK Status

A rare migrant before the 1930's, this species then began to colonise the area around London and the south-east, and has spread to several other areas since but remains very local. In the Butterfly Conservation's Microlepidoptera Report 2011 this species was classified as local. 

VC55 Status

Infrequently recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Reference
63.028 BF1375

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
European Corn Borer, European Corn-borer
Species group:
insect - moth
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Crambidae
Records on NatureSpot:
19
First record:
11/06/2018 (Gamble, David)
Last record:
25/08/2025 (Higgott, Mike)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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