Pests of plants: Sugarcane stem-borer

Profile New Guinea is the ‘home’ of sugarcane. Commercial sugarcane grown in Australia (and other parts of the world) has been developed from hybrids. These canes are very susceptible to damage by pests occurring in New Guinea and other countries. There are several species of sugarcane stem-borers in New Guinea. The common species in sugarcanes in the coastal villages of the Western Province is Chilo terrenellus. Stem-borers cause extensive damage in commercial plantings of sugarcane in New Guinea.

Identification The caterpillar feeds within the stem of growing canes and may cause enough damage to kill the growing point, resulting in browning of the upper leaves. Other signs are holes in the stem and frass caught in the axils of the lower leaves. Some species also feed in the stems of rice, sorghum and corn. Damage to the upper stems of corn plants can result in loss of the male flower followed by poor pollination of the cobs.

Distribution These pests are widespread in New Guinea and are found intermittently on the nearby islands of Saibai and Dauan in Torres Strait. Damage levels as high as 70-80% have been observed in sugarcane in the Western Province of New Guinea.

Stem-borers feed in young canes & caterpillar-infested sugarcane

Threat The commercial sugarcane species are softer than the ‘wild’ canes and have higher sugar content. If these pests were to enter our commercial growing areas they would have a severe impact on production and be very difficult to control.

Keep a Top Watch Don’t bring sugarcane from New Guinea into Torres Strait. Don’t move sugarcane from the northern islands of Torres Strait. If you see sugarcane with holes tunnelled in the stem report it to your local Quarantine officer. There are also State regulations on the movement of sugarcane. Please observe these regulations to help stop the movement of pests and disease of sugarcane.