Sugarcane Stem Borer
- Scientific name: Chilo tumidicostali.
- Family: Pyralidae.
- Order: Lepidoptera.
Pest characters of Sugarcane Stem borer
Adults are pale brown in color with the white hind wing.
Nature of Damage of Sugarcane Stem borer
- A female adult lays eggs in masses, usually on the undersurface of the leaves.
- Sometimes, they lay the egg on leaf sheath.
- After hatching the egg, the larvae collectively bore into the stem and feed inside.
- Depending on the age of the plant, two times symptoms are developed when the plant is attacked at the early stage (Just after cane formation).
- The affected plant may die, and the symptom may be called the “dried top” symptom.
- But when the plants are attacked later, plants usually do not die but suffer from severe damage.
- The larvae feed inside, making a tunnel, and secondarily fungal infection may occur. As a result, the attacked tissues decomposed, and the sugarcane becomes unfit for human consumption.
Sugarcane Stem borer Management/Control Measure
Nonchemical control of Sugarcane Stem borer
- Collection and destruction of egg masses and infected plants.
- Planting of borer-free setts.
- Removing the dried tops.
- Avoid ratoon crop.
- Use a light trap.
Chemical control of Sugarcane Stem borer
- Sett treatment with coal and Agben 50 EC @ 1 ml/L of water.
- Application with Diazinon/Diginol 60 EC @ 3 ml/L of water.
- Application of Sevin 85 SP @ 1.7 kg/ha.
- Application of Lebacid 50 EC @ 1 L/ha.