Internode Borer: Chilo sacchariphagus indicus
Symptom:
- Caterpillars attack sugarcane plants after 3 months of planting.
- Internodes constricted and shortened, with a number of boreholes
- Boreholes are plugged with fresh excreta in the nodal region.
- Frass materials are present on the affected portion.
Identification of pest:
- Egg: Scale – like white eggs are laid by female moths in batches of 9-11, near the midribs, on leaf sheaths or on the stem.
- Larva: White larva with four violet longitudinal stripes and light brown head.
- Pupa: Pupation takes place in semi – dried sheath. Pupal period 7-10 days.
- Adult: Straw coloured with a dark spot on each of the forewings.
Management:
Cultural method:
- Use resistant varieties like CO 975,COJ 46 and CO 7304.
- Select pest free setts for planting.
Physical method:
- Collect and destroy the eggs periodically.
- Detrash the crop on 150th and 210th day of planting. Detrashing dislodge the pupae that remain in the leaf sheath.
- Install pheromone traps @ 10Nos. /ha for surveillance and monitoring, change the septa/lure once in 45 days.
Biological method:
- Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of @ 2.5 cc / release / ha. Six release at fortnightly intervals starting from 4th month onwards.
Chemical method:
- Avoid the use of excessive nitrogenous fertilisers.
Source-
- TamilNadu Agritech Portal
