A review and perspectives for the biological control of the African sugarcane stalkborer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract

The literature pertaining to the biology and control of Eldana saccharina Walker in its indigenous host plants and sugarcane is reviewed. Because of the cryptic nature of E. saccharina, biological control has been considered a major option in limiting the impact of this pyralid stalkborer in sugarcane. The majority of past proponents for a biological control approach have searched its more recent hosts, graminaceous crop plants, for natural enemies. They have published numerous papers on their results. However, very little has been published about E. saccharina in its indigenous hosts, which are mainly wetland sedges. This paper proposes that a ‘classically’ based biological control approach could be more successful in limiting borer numbers in sugarcane. Eldana saccharina would not have been a pest in graminaceous crops if this habitat contained effective natural enemies. Searches for natural enemies of E. saccharina should thus be completed in the wetland sedges (the original habitat), and any found should be introduced into the infected crops (the new habitat).