|
The rearing technique of Cotesia flavipes is different from that of Trichogramma. Unlike Trichogramma, which attack the egg stage, Cotesia attacks the larval stage of the host insect. Therefore, here there is need to rear the larvae of stalk borer which act as the host of Cotesia. The larvae are multiplied on an artificially prepared diet depending upon their nutritional requirement. The adults of Cotesia are allowed to parasitize the larvae by exposing them to stalk borer larvae. After observing closely and confirming about the parasitization, the host and the parasite are separated. Stalk borer larvae are again inserted in the tubes having their artificial diet. The Cotesia adults will emerge out once their developmental period is completed and they are then released in the field as adults. The control of pyrilla, a leaf sucking insect is also successful with parasites, Epiricania melanoleuca, Tetrastichus pyrillae and Cleiloneurus pyrillae which can be reared in the laboratory. The names of parasites, predators and pathogens which control different insect pests are as under: Root borer is also becoming a serious insect pest of sugarcane particularly in early high sugar varieties. This insect should be controlled using cultural methods and insecticides. Deep harvesting of cane, irrigating the fields once a month and soil application of Chloropyriphos or Confidor in the last week of August are effective in controlling this insect. White grub has also been observed to damage sugarcane in patches in some areas in India. In Australia white grub is the most serious insect pest of sugarcane. This insect is controlled in Australia with soil application of two insecticides, Biocane and Suscon at the time of planting. Naturally occuring Adelina disease of white grub present in soil has recently been reported to keep this insect in check.While top borer incidence can be kept under control with parasite Trichogramma japonicum and cutting of second brood affected shoots in May, soil application of Phorate and Carbofuran systemic insecticides in June against the third brood is the most effective method of controlling this borer in susceptible varieties.
|