Pest of Sugarcane

The Shoot Borer - Chilo Infuscatellus Sneel

These insects are widely distributed and attacks 1 to 3 months old crops of
sugarcane the larva tunnels into the stem causing dead heart and 10 to 15 % of
canes are damaged. It occurs during the pre monsoon periods it multiplication is
favored by high temperature and low humidity. There are 5 to 6 broods of insects.
These attack a number of shoots similarly.

The Stem Borer Chilo Sacchariphagus Indicus

The insect is found throughout India and it only occurs on sugarcane. The
infestation ranges from 20 to 50%. Its multiplication is rapid under condition low
temperature and high humidity. There are 6 broods of insects in a year. Its
feeding causes the tissue turn red and the hole is usually plugged with excreta. A
larva may attack a number of nodes.

The Top Borer- Triporyza Nivella

The insect has a wide distribution in India. It accounts for 20 to 30% reduction
yield resulting in low juice quality and early maturity of the crop. There are 5
broods of insects. It attacks central core of leaves and enters the shoot and
leaving the small holes on the central leaves. It feeds on growing point which
dries up forming a dead heart.

The Sugarcane Leaf Hopper- Pyrilla Perpusilla

These insects have a wide distribution in north India. Under epidemic conditions
early 50% decrease in recovery occurs and gur will not set. Failure of monsoon,
cloudy weather and late activity of the parasites epipyrops favour rapid
multiplication of the pest. There are 4 broods of insects in a year. The adults and
the nymphs suck up the sap causing yellowing and drying of the leaves.

Pests of Rice

The Rice Hispa- Dicladispa Armigera

The insect is distributed throughout India. Heavily infested crop presents a
sickly appearance and the damage may vary from 25 to 60 %. It also breeds on a
number of grass and sugarcane. This insect passes through about 6 generation in
a year. It attacks the tip of tender leaf blade and the adults feed by scraping the
green matter.

Rice Thrip- Baliothrips Biformis

It has a wide distribution. This if essentially a pest of nurseries causing severe
damage. The larvae and adults lacerate the tender leaves and suck up the plant
sap causing rolling and drying of the leaf tips. In case of severe infestation the
seedlings are killed. The infestation invariably disappears after sharp showers. It
damage may vary from 50 to 70%

The Rice Gall Midge- Orseolia Oryzae

The insect is distributed throughout India. It infects the rice and form a hallow
pink or purple, dirty white or pale green cylindrical tubes bearing at their tips a
green reduced leaf blade complete with ligules and auricles. It breeds on number
of grass. The maggot feeds on the shoot apex resulting in the suppression of the
apical meristem and formation of radial ridges. It damages vary from 40 to 70%.

The Rice Mealy Bug- Heterococcus Rehi

The insect is distributed in south India. This mealy bug is one of the important
pests of the rice plant. Its infestation causes sunken oval or round patches in a
normal crop and the plant may either die or put forth distorted panicles with
chaffy grains. This effect is produced due to the mealy bugs sucking the sap by
remaining concealed within the leaf sheath of the plants. Apart from rice it breeds
on a large number of grasses.