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Sugarcane Stem Borer

  • Scientific name: Chilo tumidicostali.  
  • Family: Pyralidae.   
  • Order: Lepidoptera.  
Sugarcane Stem borer

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. 

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