Management of sugarcane borer populations in Louisiana,a decade of change

The sugarcane borerDiatrea saccharalis (F.) is the most serious and destructive insect attacking sugarcane in Louisiana. Losses in sugar yields ascribed to damage by this pest were estimated to have averaged 13% anally from 1937 to 1957. Biological and cultural control measures have been of little benefit against economically damaging infestations ofD. saccharalis and insecticides have historically assumed a major role in control programs. The maximum number of insecticide applications recommended to growers for full-season control ofD. saccharalis on sugarcane has been reduced from 12 to 3 within the past decade. Management practices most responsible for reductions in applications are: 1) discontinuance of insecticidal control of the first generation, 2) improvement of field survey methods for detecting potentially damaging infestations, 3) utilization of an economic injury threshold to ascertain need for insecticide treatment, 4) replacement of ryania and cryolite in control programs with synthetic organic insecticides that provide more effective and longer periods of control, and and 5) more emphasis on host plant resistance to reduce insecticide use.