Studies on Sugarcane Shoot Borers in South Gujarat

Author: S.M. Chavan, C.U. Shinde and C.D. Pandya

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Abstract

Studies on sugarcane shoot borers were carried out at farmers fields in Tapi district of South Gujarat during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20. Results revealed that the sugarcane was infested by complex of two shoot borer species viz., Sesamia inferens (Walker) and Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur) at early stage in South Gujarat Agroclimatic Zone II. Maximum infestation of sugarcane shoots by S. inferens based on number of larvae was observed during first fortnight of December followed by first fortnight of January. Likewise, maximum infestation of sugarcane shoots by C. sacchariphagus indicus based on number of larvae collected was observed during first fortnight of January followed by first fortnight of December and February. The maximum population of S. inferens was observed (87.76%) than C. sacchariphagus indicus (12.24%). Each species were naturally parasitized by complex of two parasitoids viz., Sturmiopsis inferens Towns end (Tachinidae: Diptera) and Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Larvae of S. inferens were maximum parasitized by S. inferens (58.17%) followed by C. flavipes (2.75%). Whereas, larvae of Chilo sp. were maximum parasitized by C. flavipes (10.29%) followed by S. inferens (2.67).

Keywords

Chilo sacchariphagus indicus, Cotesia flavipes, parasitization, Sesamia inferens, Sturmiopsis inferens, Sugarcane

Conclusion

From the above study, it can be concluded that the complex infestation of two shoot borer species viz., Sesamia inferens (Walker) and Chilo sacchariphagus indicus (Kapur) was noticed at early stage of sugarcane in South Gujarat Agroclimatic Zone II. Maximum infestation of sugarcane shoots by S. inferens based on number of larvae was observed during first fortnight of December (average of 38 larvae followed by first fortnight of January (average of 30 larvae). Likewise, maximum infestation of sugarcane shoots by C. sacchariphagus indicus based on number of larvae collected was observed during first fortnight of January (average 5.67 larvae) followed by first fortnight of December and February (average 3.0 larvae) (Fig. 2). The maximum population of S. inferens was observed (87.76%) than C. sacchariphagus indicus (12.24%). Each species were naturally parasitized by complex of two parasitoids viz., Sturmiopsis inferens Townsend (Tachinidae: Diptera) and Cotesia flavipes Cameron (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Larvae of S. inferens were maximum parasitized (58.17%) by S. inferens followed by C. flavipes (2.75%). Whereas, larvae of Chilo sp. were maximum parasitized by C. flavipes (10.29%) followed by S. inferens (2.67).

References

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How to cite this article

S.M. Chavan, C.U. Shinde and C.D. Pandya (2024). Studies on Sugarcane Shoot Borers in South Gujarat. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(1): 156-160.