INTEGRATION OF INSECTICIDES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SESAMIA GRISESCENS WARREN (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) IN SUGARCANE AT RAMU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

THE LARVA OF the noctuid moth borer, Sesamia grisescens Warren, is a serious pest of sugarcane and has become one of the major constraints to sugar production at Ramu Sugar plantation, Papua New Guinea. Recent developments in the management of S. grisescens using insecticides are discussed in this paper, particularly the use of a pheromone trapping/monitoring system to schedule insecticide spraying. It has been found that spraying carried out during the moth flight period is effective in controlling young larvae before they bore into the stems, thus minimising damage to sugarcane. Strategies to minimise the use of insecticides and the management of potential insecticide resistance are also discussed.