European corn borer

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is an Old World moth whose larva is a significant pest in North America. It primarily damages the stems, crowns, and fruits of crop plants, with corn being a major target. This insect is classified as a pyralid moth.123

These moths are a concern in agriculture because their larvae bore into plants, causing damage that can reduce crop yields. While natural factors like weather and predators help control insect populations, large-scale monoculture farming can remove these regulating factors, leading to increased pest infestations. The European corn borer is one example of a nonnative pest that has become established in the United States, often without its natural enemies.34

Control measures for such pests include biological controls, such as introducing natural predators or parasites, and developing crop varieties resistant to insect attack.45