E.C. Burkness and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

R.L. Koch, M.A. Carrillo, and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

K. Van Wychen Bennett, E. C. Burkness and W. D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

E.C. Burkness and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

E.C. Burkness and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

E.C. Burkness and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

R. L. Hines and W. D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

A.C. Morey, W. D. Hutchison, and E.C. Burkness
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

E.C. Burkness and W.D. Hutchison
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

Biology and Life Cycle

The ¾ to 2 inch long common stalk borer larvae are relatively easy to identify because of their distinct coloration. They usually have a brownish to purple color with white lines running longitudinally down the body. There is an obvious saddle in the lines one fourth of the way down from the head creating an area that is a solid brown or purple color. This break takes up roughly one fourth of the entire body. As the larvae mature however, the distinguishing white lines disappear, and the majority of body color turns to a brownish-gray.