About Castnia licus (Drury, 1773)
Telchin licus, commonly known as the banana stem borer, is a moth belonging to the Castniidae family. Its scientific name is also referenced as Castnia licus (Drury, 1773). This species is native to South America. In its native range, it occurs across Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and the entire Amazon basin spanning Brazil and Peru. It has additionally been documented as an introduced species in Hawaii. The forewings of this moth measure between 64 and 80 mm in length. The larval stage of this moth feeds on species from the genera Saccharum officinarum, Musa, Heliconia, and Ichnosiphon. This moth is classified as a pest species. When larvae are young, they first create a small cavity before tunneling into the heart of their host plant's cane. They tunnel both upward and downward through the plant tissue, and build a resting shelter within the host's rootstock. Pupation occurs inside the rootstock or at the base of the cane.
