Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208133
Title: Advances and Challenges in Sugarcane Pest Management: A Review of the 2006 Entomology Workshop

Author
item White, William
item GANESHAN, SEELAVARN - MSIRI, REDUIT, MAURITIUS
item GOEBEL, FRANCOIS-REGIS - CIRAD, MONTPELLIER FRANCE
item SALAZAR, JESUS - INIA, YARACUY, VENEZUELA
item SAMSON, PETER - BSES, MACKAY, AUSTRALIA

Submitted to: International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2007
Publication Date: 7/30/2007
Citation: White, W.H., Ganeshan, S., Goebel, F., Salazar, J., Samson, P.R. 2007. Advances and Challenges in Sugarcane Pest Management: A Review of the 2006 Entomology Workshop. Proceedings of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists. 26:821-829.

Interpretive Summary: Insects are economically important as pests of sugarcane worldwide. Although the species of insects may differ from country to country, generalized groups of insects are common among the industries. For example, moth stem borers, although comprising many different species, are a near a universal problem of sugarcane. Additionally, there is always the risk that these species may become introduced and established in new industry through breakdowns in biosecurity or by natural means (e.g. wind currents). It is therefore important that entomologist charged with controlling insect pests stay up to date on potential threats to their industries and to be aware of the latest developments in control tactics. One way to do this is to participate in workshops attended by colleagues from different countries where information is being presented on the latest control methodologies for economically important groups of insects and on insects that represent a significant threat from introduction. In this paper we summarize the activities of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) Entomology Workshop held 15-20 May 2006 in Cairns, Australia. Twenty-five technical papers by entomologist from 10 countries were presented during the workshop. These papers covered several important topics of common interest to entomologists. Visits to commercial sugarcane fields near the workshop venue were also made providing hands-on experiences. The impact of attending and participating in international workshops can be of significant benefit to sugarcane industries in the U.S. not only from obtaining information of immediate application to solving existing problems of insect control, but in preparing for possible future insect introductions.

Technical Abstract: In this paper we summarize the activities of the International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists (ISSCT) Entomology Workshop held 15-20 May 2006 in Cairns, Australia. We also summarize the post-workshop tour to Ramu, Papua New Guinea. The technical session held over three days was grouped into six subject headings: managing invasive species; phylogenetics and molecular techniques; management of whitegrubs/canegrubs; management of stemborers; management of sucking pests and miscellaneous pests. Following the technical sessions, attendees participated in two field trips. The first highlighted a visit to commercial sugarcane fields and the BSES photoperiod facility at Meringa. The second tour highlighted the unique habitat of the Wet Tropics Rainforest of Australia. We concluded that managing damaging infestations of insects will continue to be an important consideration for the world’s sugarcane industries as they seek to maintain sustainable production systems. Continued advances in control methodologies, better understanding of pest/beneficial insect inter-relationships and effective biosecurity will be vital to maintaining successful pest management programs.