Sugarcane
Guides
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisChiromyzinae
Chiromyzinae is a subfamily of soldier flies (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) comprising approximately 14 genera and at least 50 described species. The subfamily exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism in some genera, with winged males and apterous (wingless) females. At least one species, Metridius robertsoni, has been documented as a pest of sugarcane in Australia.
Diatraea
sugarcane borer, stalk borer
Diatraea is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae comprising approximately 40 described species. The genus is best known for several economically important stalk-boring pests of grass crops, particularly sugarcane, corn, sorghum, and rice. Larvae tunnel within plant stems, causing reduced yield, lodging, and increased susceptibility to pathogens. Several species have been the focus of extensive biological control programs, notably using parasitoid wasps such as Cotesia flavipes and Trichogramma galloi. The genus is distributed throughout the Americas from the southern United States to Argentina.
Elaphria nucicolora
Sugarcane Midget
Elaphria nucicolora, commonly known as the Sugarcane Midget, is a small noctuid moth with a wingspan of approximately 21 mm. The species has a broad geographic range spanning the southeastern United States, Caribbean islands, tropical South America, and Hawaii. Adults are active from late spring through autumn in temperate regions, with year-round activity in tropical and subtropical areas. The larval stage feeds on a variety of herbaceous plants including sugarcane, watermelon, and several weedy species.
Eoreuma
Eoreuma is a genus of moths in the family Crambidae, first described by Ely in 1910. The genus contains 11 described species, with Eoreuma loftini (Mexican rice borer) being the most economically significant. This species is a major agricultural pest of sugarcane, rice, sorghum, and corn in the southern United States and Mexico, causing substantial yield losses through larval tunneling in stalks. The genus is native to the Americas, with several species described from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Lagocheirus araneiformis
Spider Longhorned Beetle, Cassava Borer, Almácigo Borer
Lagocheirus araneiformis is a longhorn beetle in the subfamily Lamiinae, described by Linnaeus in 1767. It reaches 20–28 mm in length with grey-brown coloration. The species is widely distributed across the Americas and has been recorded as a pest of cassava and sugarcane. Multiple subspecies have been described from Caribbean islands and other regions.
Melanaphis
sugarcane aphid
Melanaphis is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae, first described by van der Goot in 1917. The genus includes species that are significant agricultural pests, particularly of sorghum and sugarcane. Melanaphis sacchari (sugarcane aphid) has become one of the most damaging insect pests of grain and forage sorghum in the United States since its first recorded occurrence on sorghum in Texas in 2013. Members of this genus are characterized by their parthenogenetic reproduction, rapid population growth, and production of honeydew.
Melanaphis sacchari
Sugarcane Aphid, Sugarcane Aphid Complex
Melanaphis sacchari, commonly known as the sugarcane aphid, is a phloem-feeding aphid native to the Old World that has become a major agricultural pest of sorghum and sugarcane. First recorded feeding on sorghum in Texas in 2013, it rapidly spread across the southern United States, causing significant yield losses. The species reproduces primarily through parthenogenesis, with all individuals being female and giving birth to live young. Populations can double every 4 to 8 days under favorable conditions, making monitoring and timely intervention critical for management.
Melanotus communis
corn wireworm
Melanotus communis is a click beetle (Elateridae) whose larvae, known as corn wireworms, are significant agricultural pests in the eastern United States. Adults are reddish-brown and approximately 13 mm long. The species has been studied extensively for its pest status in sugarcane, potato, and other crops, with research focusing on entomopathogen susceptibility, pheromone-based monitoring, and soil habitat preferences.
Saccharosydne saccharivora
West Indian Canefly, West Indian Sugarcane Fulgorid
Saccharosydne saccharivora is a delphacid planthopper and major pest of sugarcane with a 6½–7 week life cycle. It has been documented as a vector of sugarcane yellow leaf phytoplasma, the first confirmed phytoplasma transmission by this species. Population dynamics in Jamaica showed epidemic versus endemic patterns, with generation segregation and synchronization occurring in epidemic areas due to parasitoid pressure. Outbreaks require plant cane under favorable climatic and agricultural conditions.
Saccharosydnini
Saccharosydnini is a tribe of delphacid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) established by Vilbaste in 1968. The tribe includes at least one new genus, Lacertina, described from Argentina with distinctive dorsoventrally flattened morphology. Some members are associated with sugarcane and serve as vectors of plant pathogens.
Sipha flava
yellow sugarcane aphid
Sipha flava, commonly known as the yellow sugarcane aphid, is a significant agricultural pest native to North America that has spread to multiple continents. This aphid feeds on warm- and cool-season grasses including sugarcane, sorghum, corn, rice, and numerous pasture grasses. It is distinguished by its bright lemon-yellow to pale green coloration, body covered with small spines, and two double rows of dark spots on the dorsum. The species is notable for injecting a toxin while feeding that causes host plant leaves to turn purple in seedlings and yellow to reddish in older plants, leading to stunted growth, delayed maturity, and potential lodging. Unlike many aphids, it produces little to no honeydew. Populations can increase rapidly through parthenogenetic reproduction, with females giving birth to live young for approximately 28 days.
Tytthus
Tytthus is a genus of predatory plant bugs (Miridae) specialized in feeding on planthopper eggs. Species range from approximately 1 mm to 3.6 mm in length. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic revision, having been placed in multiple tribes before current placement in Semiini. Several species have been used successfully in biological control programs against agricultural pests.