Sugarcane Borer (Diatraea Saccharalis (Fab.)) On Pampas Grass In Florida

Tagged as: Crambidae, Lepidoptera

(Crambidae: Lepidoptera)

Issue No. 105
G. W. Dekle G. L. Greene T. E. Summers
February, 1971

Sugarcane Borer (Diatraea Saccharalis (Fab.)) On Pampas Grass In Florida

Introduction

Canes of pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana (Schult.) Aschers & Graebn., were found infested with sugarcane borer by J. N. Pott, plant specialist, during a Volusia County nursery inspection in October 1968. Larvae of several instars and also pupae were removed from infested canes. A survey conducted by the DPI with entomologists from the Central Florida Experiment Station, Sanford, and the USDA Sugarcane Research Unit, Canal Point, indicated a severe infestation in the nursery field block. Some parasites (Braconidae; Apanteles sp.) Of this lepidopterous borer were found during the survey; however, the parasite population was not controlling the infestation. The movement of any known host from the vicinity of the infestation required an inspection and certifjcation by the DPI.

Circulars