Moth Photographers Group – Diatraea saccharalis

Digital Guide to Moth Identification

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Crambidae

80a1443 – 5475 Diatraea saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794)

Sugarcane Borer

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Distribution Data for Diatraea saccharalis

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Distribution:	USA: FL to TX. Central and South America.
Similar Species:	Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
Synonymy:	saccharalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Phalaena) - MONA 1983: 5475 brasiliensis Gorkum & Waal, 1913 (Diatraea) continens Dyar, 1911 (Diatraea) grenadensis Dyar, 1911 (Diatraea) incomparella Dyar & Heinrich, 1927 (Diatraea) leucaniellus (Walker, 1863) (Crambus) lineosellus (Walker, 1863) (Crambus) obliteratellus (Zeller, 1863) (Chilo) pedidocta Dyar, 1911 (Diatraea) sacchari (Fabricius, 1798) (Crambus) Note: "Unjustified emendation of saccharalis Fabricius, 1794." ( Nuss et. al. (2003–2024), GLOBIZ: www.pyraloidea.org [accessed 28Oct2025]), sacchari Guilding, 1828 (Diatraea) Note: Type of genus Diatraea Guilding, 1828. Thei is treated as an "Unjustified emendation of saccharalis Fabricius, 1794." by Nuss et. al. (2003–2024), GLOBIZ: www.pyraloidea.org [accessed 28Oct2025]),

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced.
Fabricius, J.C., 1798. Entomologica systematica. C.G. Proft et C.F. Mohr, Hafniae et Kiliae, Supplementum 5: 469.
Factsheet at Florida Featured Creatures.
Guilding, L., 1827. No. III. Insects infesting the sugar-cane. Transactions of the Society, Instituted at London, for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, 46 149.
Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
Species Page at BugGuide.Net
Species Page at iNaturalist

24mm - LG – (cc) CAS (Chris Grinter)

Moth Photographers Group at the Mississippi Entomological Museum at the Mississippi State University

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