This document discusses the sugarcane top borer, Scirpophaga nivella. It is a major pest of sugarcane in Pakistan, India, and China. The adult moths are white with crimson anal tufts. Females lay 150 eggs in clusters on leaves. Larvae bore into stems, causing the central shoot to die, resulting in the characteristic "bunchy top" appearance. Biological and chemical controls can help manage the pest population.

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.