Hybridization studies between Ostrinia nubilalis [European corn borer], Ostrinia obumbratalis [smartweed borer], and Ostrinia penitalis [lotus borer] (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) [Biological control]

Smartweed borers, Ostrinia obumbratalis (Lederer), did not survive on a meridic diet used for rearing the European corn borer (ECB), Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner). "Lotus borers," Ostrinia penitalis (Grote), were reared for 2 generations on the meridic diet; all larvae died on the diet in the 3rd generation. Three ECB male moths were observed in copulation with 3 smartweed borer female moths, and one ECB male moth was observed in copulation with one lotus borer female moth. After death, the 4 females were dissected. The bursa copulatrix did not contain spermatophores; thus, matings were not successful. All eggs from crosses were sterile. We think that if the smartweed borer and European corn borer or lotus borer and European corn borer attempt to mate in the wild, the mating is either unsuccessful or if successful all eggs are sterile.