• Caterpillars attack sugarcane plants after 3 months of planting.
• Internodes constricted and shortened, with a number of boreholes
• Boreholes are plugged with fresh excreta in the nodal region.
• Frass materials are present on the affected portion.

• Egg: Scale – like white eggs are laid by female moths in batches of 9-11, near the midribs, on leaf sheaths or on stem.
• Larva: White larva with four violet longitudinal stripes and light brown head.
• Pupa: Pupation takes place in semi – dried sheath. Pupal period 7-10 days.
• Adult: Straw coloured with a dark spot on each of the fore wings.

Cultural method:

• Use resistant varieties like CO 975,COJ 46 and CO 7304.
• Select pest free setts for planting.

Physical method:

• Collect and destroy the eggs periodically.
• Detrash the crop on 150th and 210th day of planting. Detrashing dislodge the pupae that remain in the leaf sheath.
• Install pheromone traps @ 10Nos. /ha for surveillance and monitoring, change the septa/lure once in 45 days.

Biological method:

• Release egg parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis at the rate of  @ 2.5 cc / release / ha. Six release at fortnightly intervals starting from 4th month onwards.

Chemical method:

• Avoid the use of excessive nitrogenous fertilizers.