Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00648
Bean Pod Borer
Maruca vitrata
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About Bean Pod Borer
Bean Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata) is a member of Crambidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.
Bean Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata) is documented from Kauaʻi. Crambid moths undergo complete metamorphosis. Caterpillars often feed on leaves, stems, grasses, or aquatic plants, while adults are winged and usually short-lived relative to the larval stage. On Kauaʻi, observations are most useful when they record larval host, feeding shelter/mine/roll, adult flight period, parasitoids, and stage-specific photographs. Where island-specific host, prey, breeding-site, abundance, or seasonal information is not yet firmly documented, those details should remain tied to direct specimens and field observations rather than inferred from populations elsewhere.
Bean Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata) is an introduced legume-feeding moth recorded from Kauaʻi. Its caterpillar develops in flowers and pods of legumes and differs strongly from the adult.
Kauaʻi occurrence evidence: BAMONA's Kauaʻi regional checklist contains verified Maruca vitrata records.
The cited occurrence evidence does not by itself establish current abundance or population trend on Kauaʻi.
Life cycle
Egg; caterpillar; pupa; adult.
Habitat
Host vegetation; larval microhabitat is species-specific.
Food and ecological role
Larval host plants are species-specific; adults generally use nectar or do not feed extensively.
Reproduction
Adults mate and females lay eggs on or near larval host plants.
Movement
Adults fly; larvae move locally among host tissues or leaves.
Ecosystem role
Herbivore as a larva and prey item across life stages; some species are crop pests while others are endemic specialists.
Threats and impacts
Native species can be sensitive to host-plant loss and introduced parasitoids; introduced species can damage crops.
Monitoring
Record larval host, feeding shelter/mine/roll, adult flight period, parasitoids, and stage-specific photographs.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Maruca vitrata
- Common names
- Bean Pod Borer
- Family
- Crambidae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Bean Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata) is a member of Crambidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status on Kauaʻi is introduced.