UPDATES

Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines ? 0973-222-810
Vol. 2 No. 3 July 1998

SRA-LGAREC

SUGARCANE ARMYWORM AND THEIR CONTROL

Sugarcane armyworm (Cirphis loreyi Dup.) or Tagostos is a periodically destructive insect pest. It appears at the onset of the rainy season often after a long dry spell. It is nocturnal or night feeder and the larvae usually buries itself underground during daytime. The larva swarm in great proportion on grass-covered roads and headlands. The larva, after having quickly eaten the surrounding canes, travel onward in search for fresh host. The general color of the larvae is pale yellow or greenish pink with two dark broad lines running the entire length of the body. The entire life cycle of the pest last from 23 to 43 days.

Control Measures: ?? Eliminate weeds in the field (clean culture). ?? Cultivate the affected field by plowing to expose the pupae or tando-tando. ?? Spray contact insecticides like: Insecticide Rate/16 liters of Water a. Cymbush 4-5 tbsp. b. Karate 3-4 tbsp. c. Baythroid 3-4 tbsp. d. Tamaron 4-5 tbsp. e. Predator 4-5 tbsp. f. Decis R 3-4 tbsp. Insecticides should be used judiciously. Blanket spraying is recommended with severe infestation while spot spraying when only initial infestation is observed. Spraying should be done at 6-7 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. of the day because the larvae come out from under the soil surface to feed during this period. Do not spray when the larva could not be seen especially from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Recommended insecticides will effectively control the pest if it could directly hit the larvae. Caution: Avoid using the same insecticide for the next applications (e.i. Cymbush or Decis or Baythroid on the first application, the next should be Tamaron or Predator.) ?? Conserve biological control agents like: Cotesia flavipes, a larval parasite and Telenomus rowani Gahan, an egg parasitoid, by avoiding frequent use of pesticides. /glr

Signs of infestation: ?? initial infestation: cutting of the tip of leaves of the plant. ?? severe infestation: completely defoliating the plants leaving only the midrib.

By:

MELANIE C. ALBA, Ph.D. Manager I, Crop Protection Dept.