Sugarcane stem borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) infestation in plant and ratoon crops

The sugarcane stem borers, Sesamia spp. are the main pests of sugarcane in Khuzestan province of Iran. In order to evaluate the stem borers infestation in plant and ratoon crops, two field experiments were carried out in Amir-Kabir Agro-industry in south of Khuzestan province. In the first experiment, at plant cane fields during three consecutive years, and in the second experiment at different crop ages (plant, first ratoon and second ratoon) at the same time stalk and internode infestation by sugarcane borers were determined. Results in both experiments indicate percent of stalk and internode infestation by stem borers in plant crops significantly increased than ratoon crops. The findings of this research can be used in management of sugarcane stem borers.