Bug FAQStalk Borer
Papaipema nebris · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Noctuidae
Also called: Stalk Borer Moth
Source: Wikipedia
Papaipema nebris, known as the stalk borer, is a moth in the Noctuidae family with a wingspan of about 25 to 44 mm. It lives across southern Canada and the eastern United States down to the Gulf of Mexico, but not in Florida. Its larvae are considered pests of corn and can also feed on other large-stemmed plants such as giant ragweed.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The stalk borer is a moth belonging to the Noctuidae family.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
Adults have a wingspan ranging from 25 to 44 mm.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
Larvae are regarded as pests of corn and can damage other crops.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The caterpillars feed on corn and other large-stemmed plants like Ambrosia trifida.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing from June through September, depending on location.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
The moth flies during the summer months, typically June to September.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its native range includes southern Canada and the eastern United States east of the Rockies.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 36 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Kansas.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Is the stalk borer a pest of corn?
Yes, its larvae are considered a pest of corn and can cause damage to the crop.
Source: Wikipedia
When are adult stalk borers active?
Adults are active from June to September, with exact timing varying by region.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Noctuidae)
Ipsilon Dart MothAgrotis ipsilonDamages trees, gardens or crops
Fall Armyworm MothSpodoptera frugiperdaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Army Cutworm MothEuxoa auxiliarisDamages trees, gardens or crops
Large Yellow UnderwingNoctua pronubaDamages trees, gardens or crops
Silver ΥAutographa gamma
American DaggerAcronicta americanaCan irritate skinSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalk_borer
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-24 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-24.