About Etiella zinckenella (Treitschke, 1832)
Etiella zinckenella, commonly known as the pulse pod borer moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Pyralidae. This species is native to southern and eastern Europe, as well as the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. It has also been introduced to North America and Australia. The wingspan of Etiella zinckenella ranges from 19 to 27 mm, typically between 22 and 26 mm. Its forewings are yellow-brown to brownish-grey, marked with a lighter costal stripe and a yellowish and chestnut fascia positioned at one third of the wing length. The hindwings are pale grey with black venation and a dark double line located just before the fringe. Etiella zinckenella is usually a minor pest affecting many types of legumes, but it can become a serious pest in some circumstances. The caterpillars of this species feed on mung bean, Phaseolus lunatus, and many other Fabaceae species, including pigeonpea, cowpea, lablab, soybean, peas, chickpea, horse gram, green gram, black gram, Crotalaria juncea, C. micans, C. saltiana, Lathyrus sativus, and Vigna unguiculata. Caterpillars have also been recorded feeding on Catha edulis, a species in the family Celastraceae.
