African sugarcane borer

The African sugarcane borer (Eldana saccharina) is a member of the order Lepidoptera and the family Pyralidae. It is a highly destructive moth species, widely recognized as a major pest of sugarcane and various cereal crops across sub-Saharan Africa.

While sugarcane is the primary commercial host, the moth also infestations maize, sorghum, and several species of wild grasses. The larvae act as internal feeders, excavating extensive tunnels within the stalk, which compromises the structural integrity and physiological health of the plant.

The biology of Eldana saccharina is characterized by a cryptic larval stage. After hatching, the larvae bore into the stalk tissues, where they are protected from environmental stresses and many contact-based chemical treatments, making management particularly challenging for farmers.

Visible damage symptoms often include dead hearts in young plants, snapped stalks in mature crops, and reduced sugar accumulation. The tunneling activity facilitates the entry of pathogenic fungi, further aggravating yield losses and degrading the quality of the harvested produce.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is essential for controlling this pest. Recommended strategies include the planting of resistant or tolerant cultivars, the removal and destruction of crop residues, and the release of biological control agents such as parasitoid wasps or entomopathogenic nematodes.