Insect Enemies of Sugarcane In Western Mexico

The major sugarcane pests in western Mexico are two moth-borers, Chilo loftini Dyar and Diatraea lineolata Walker. Neither is held in check by parasites although the latter is fairly well parasitized by Trichogramma late in the summer and is of secondary importance after the first crop. Leptodictya tabida H. S. is everywhere common but is of slight economic importance. A noctuid larva, Saccharaphagos mochisa Schauss is sometimes numerous in ratoon fields, where also occur two species of Cirphis. Tomaspis posticata Walker has lately become a pest of some importance.