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.