Sugarcane top borrer

Ehtisham Ali Hussain
UCA, University of sargodha
[email protected]

1. SUGARCANE TOP BORER EHTISHAM ALI HUSSAIN BAGF15E258 University College Of Agriculture, University of Sargodha

2. Technical Name Scirpophaga nivella   Family Pyralidae Order Lepidoptera Taxonomy Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

3. It is one of the most destructive and major pest of sugarcane in Pakistan, India and China. Distribution Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

4. Eggs  Eggs are dull white, oval, laid in overlapping clusters under surface of the leaf. Identification Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

5.  Larvae are 35 mm long, creamy dull white or yellow and brown head. Larvae Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

6.  Pupa is cylindrical in shape and pale yellow in colour . Pupation takes place in the cane and pupal period lasts for about a week. Pupa Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

7. Adult moths are creamy or pure white in colour with crimson coloured anal tuft of hairs in females. Males are slightly smaller, with a wing span of 25-30 mm Adult Of Sugar Cane Top Borer Male Female

8. Female lay about 150 eggs in clusters on the lower sides of leaf. The eggs are covers under a silken cap. Egg hatch in 1 week and larvae live for 4-5 weeks.Pupal and adult period is about one week .Pupation occurs within canes, making a chamber. This insect has 4-5 generation in a year. Life Cycle Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

9. Young larvae bore into the midrib, leaving red markings and small holes on the leaves. Then the larvae tunnel in the upper portion of the stem, resulting in drying of the central shoot, causing “dead heart”. With the death of central shoot, side branches start growing from a lower node, giving a characteristic “bunchy top” appearance to the plant. Quality & quantity of juices also reduced. Damage Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

10. Symptoms Of Sugar Cane Top Borer BUNCHY TOP REDDISH STREAKS/ RED MARKINGS

11. Cultural/ Mechanical Control Biological Control Chemical Control Management Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

12. Early plantation Manuring Trash mulching and earthing up Use resistance varieties Removal of infested cane. Egg masses and infested portions should be collected and destroyed. Installation of sex pheromone traps for monitoring and mass trapping of top borer moths Use of light traps Cultural/ Mechanical Control

13. Biological control was successfully attempted by mass release programmes of exotic species of  Trichogramma .  The following parasitoids have been recorded on this pest:   Egg parasites :  Tetrastichus sp., Trichogramma minutum .    Larval parasites : Isotima javensis , Syzeuctus sp   Pupal parasites :  Tetrastichus ayyari , Xanthopimpla pedator . Biological Control Of Sugar Cane Top Borer

14. Chemical control is not satisfactory although 0002% malathion , endosulfan or carbofuran if timed with egg laying gives some control. Dusting with 10% BHC, dieldrin or endrin or 3% carbofuran timed with moth emergence is recommended. Chemical Control Of Sugar Cane Top Borer