Ehtisham Ali Hussain UCA, University of sargodha shamu.hassan.eh@gmail.com

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

2.  Technical Name
Scirpophaga nivella
 Family
Pyralidae
 Order
Lepidoptera

3.  It is one of the most destructive and major
pest of sugarcane in Pakistan, India and
China.

4.  Eggs
 Eggs are dull white, oval, laid in overlapping
clusters under surface of the leaf.

5.  Larvae are 35 mm long, creamy dull white or
yellow and brown head.

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.

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
 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.

10.  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.

11. BUNCHY TOPREDDISH STREAKS/ RED MARKINGS

12.  Cultural/ Mechanical Control
 Biological Control
 Chemical Control

13.  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

14.  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.

15.  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.