Stalk Borer Research Articles

The expression of the clock gene cycle has rhythmic pattern and is affected by photoperiod in the moth Sesamia nonagrioides.

To obtain clues to the link between the molecular mechanism of circadian and photoperiod clocks, we have cloned the circadian clock gene cycle (Sncyc) in the corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides, which undergoes facultative diapause controlled by photoperiod. Sequence analysis revealed a high degree of conservation among insects for this gene. SnCYC consists of 667 amino acids and structural analysis showed that it contains a BCTR domain in its C-terminal in addition to the common domains found in Drosophila CYC, i.e. bHLH, PAS-A, PAS-B domains. The results revealed that the sequence of Sncyc showed a similarity to that of its mammalian orthologue, Bmal1. We also investigated the expression patterns of Sncyc in the brain of larvae growing under long-day 16L: 8D (LD), constant darkness (DD) and short-day 10L: 14D (SD) conditions using qRT-PCR assays. The mRNAs of Sncyc expression was rhythmic in LD, DD and SD cycles. Also, it is remarkable that the photoperiodic conditions affect the expression patterns and/or amplitudes of circadian clock gene Sncyc. This gene is associated with diapause in S. nonagrioides, because under SD (diapause conditions) the photoperiodic signal altered mRNA accumulation. Sequence and expression analysis of cyc in S. nonagrioides shows interesting differences compared to Drosophila where this gene does not oscillate or change in expression patterns in response to photoperiod, suggesting that this species is an interesting new model to study the molecular control of insect circadian and photoperiodic clocks.

Yield Loss in Sugarcane Due to Diatraea tabernella Dyar (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Panama

The moth borer Diatraea tabernella Dyar (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) feeds on sugarcane causing holes and tunnels in the stalks resulting in yield losses. Damage facilitates the entry of red rot (Colletotrichum falcatum) causing inversion of sucrose in the sugarcane juice. Two types of damage that can be related to sugar loss were assessed and analyzed: the percentage of internodes bored in the stalk and the internal damage (=length of borer tunnels). After a preliminary assessment on borer damage in 2012, a new study was conducted in 2016 to thoroughly investigate the impact of D. tabernella not only on cane and sugar yield, but also on stalk parameters (length, diameter, stalk mass, etc.). This assessment was conducted on eight varieties and was carried out on three samples (replicates) of five stalks per variety grouped in five damage levels (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 internodes bored). The results indicated that stalk mass, fiber and sugar yield were significantly affected by the stalk borer. Sugar yield decreased up to 2.56 t of sugar per hectare, with damage level 3 similar to the yield with no damage (level 0). Internodes of cultivars E07-09, Na56-42, SP01-2050 and SP81-3250 were less damaged at the two-internode category and had lower sugar losses. There was an exact linear relationship negative (decreasing) between sugar yield (t/ha) and damage levels (y = −0.579x + 9.324, R 2 = 0.9069) with a range from 12.9% with damage level 1 to 26.47% loss with damage level 4.

Resistance of Australian sugarcane clones to moth and weevil borers in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has several moth borers (Lepidoptera) that damage commercial crops of sugarcane in the Ramu Valley. These borers are not present in Australia but would almost certainly cause very serious losses if introduced. To prepare for a possible incursion, Australian cultivars and promising clones were tested for their susceptibility to these borers in field trials at Ramu Agri-Industries, PNG. Three field trials were planted, one in each of 2010 (32 clones), 2011 (33 clones) and 2013 (32 clones), and sampled for borers in the plant and first ratoon crops. There were significant differences among clones for internode damage from Sesamia grisescens Warren (Noctuidae) and Chilo terrenellus Pagenstecher (Crambidae) and meristem damage from Scirpophaga excerptalis (Walker) (Pyralidae), as well as internode damage from the weevil borer Rhabdoscelus obscurus (Boisduval) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Generally, the range of damage among clones in each trial was less for C. terrenellus than for the other borers. The proportion of damaged internodes was strongly correlated with the proportion of damaged stalks for all borers and so the proportion of damaged stalks could be used as a surrogate estimate of internal stalk damage for rapid sampling. Levels of damage were correlated, positively or negatively, between species of borers in some trials. Damage from R. obscurus was positively correlated with damage from the two stalk borers, S. grisescens and C. terrenellus, which agrees with its status as a mainly secondary pest; its damage was not correlated with damage from Sc. excerptalis which affects only the stalk tops and the apical meristem. Damage correlations among the moth borers could reflect similarities or differences between resistance profiles of clones against different species, or could be due to direct or indirect interactions among species. Thirteen standard clones were included in all three trials. Among data sets, results for the standard clones were least consistent for C. terrenellus and most consistent for Sc. excerptalis. Some evidence was obtained that antixenosis may play a role in influencing resistance of clones to Sc. excerptalis and, perhaps, S. grisescens, but more research would be needed to confirm this.

Field evaluation of mineral oils and inorganic salts with insecticides and light traps against the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus olivier

Field experiments were conducted on imported varieties (Ekhlas and barhi) and local varieties (Zaghlol and Samani) of palm trees at EL-noubariya region, date palms in Egypt suffer from infestation of palm insects especially red palm weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus (RPW). Inorganic salts, mineral oils and pesticides (individually and mixture) were applied using different techniques and integrated with light traps against R. ferrugineus. counting of light traps was recorded 77.9% of scarabaeidae, 40.3% of bostrichidae and 31.3% of cerambycidae. the collected insects can be arranged in descending order as follows: Palm stem borer, Phyllgnathus excavatus (56.3 insect/month), the frond borer Phonapate frontalis (36.3 insectl/month), the longhorn palm borer Pseudophilus testaceus (32.4 insect/month) the bunch stalk borer, Oryctes elegans (20.3 insect/month). the highest insect activity was obtained in April, May, June, July and August. Injection of inorganic solution inside the infested palm trees, led to 100% recovery of the treated trees after a year of treatment, while pouring the solution on the earth surrounding the infested palms caused 50% recovery, however spraying the solution on the imported varieties of palms was not very effective. Injection the mixture of car oil used with mossbelan as pure pesticide inside the infested trunk gave high protection against RPW (100%) recovery for all tested palms (aged 3 years in each) and 66.7% recovery fore local varieties (5 years age). Scattering granules of Vuoradan (soil pesticide) inside the drilled holes surrounding the infested palms (100 gm/hole) led to 66.7% recovery for imported varieties and about 33.3% for local varieties.

The expression patterns of the clock genes period and timeless are affected by photoperiod in the Mediterranean corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides.

To obtain clues to the link between the molecular mechanism of circadian and photoperiod clocks, we cloned two circadian clock genes, period (per) and timeless (tim) from the moth Sesamia nonagrioides, which undergoes facultative diapause controlled by photoperiod. Sequence analysis revealed a high degree of conservation among the compared insects fοr both genes. We also investigated the expression patterns of per and tim in brains of larvae growing under 16L:8D (long days), constant darkness (DD) and 10L:14D (short days) conditions by qPCR assays. The results showed that mRNA accumulations encoding both genes exhibited diel oscillations under different photoperiods. The oscillation of per and tim mRNA, under short-day photoperiod differed from long-day. The difference between long-day and short-day conditions in the pattern of mRNA levels of per and tim appears to distinguish photoperiodic conditions clearly and both genes were influenced by photoperiod in different ways. We infer that not all photoperiodic clocks of insects interact with circadian clocks in the same fashion. Our results suggest that transcriptional regulations of the both clock genes act in the diapause programing in S. nonagrioides. The expression patterns of these genes are affected by photoperiod but runs with 24 h by entrainment to daily environmental cues.

Improving biological control of stalk borers in sugarcane by applying silicon as a soil amendment

AbstractThe sugarcane stalk borers, Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) are the most destructive sugarcane insect pests in Iran. The efficiency of Telenomus busseolae Gahan (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) used alone or in combination with silicon fertilization was investigated for controlling the sugarcane stalk borers under field conditions. The treatments were: a combination of silicon plus multiple releases of 2,500 T. busseolae, and multiple releases of 5,000, 2,500 and 1,250 T. busseolae alone. Plots receiving no soil amendment or parasites were included as the controls. Three weeks after the first application of each treatment, 100 shoots were selected randomly from each plot and the percentage of dead heart was determined. Then, three months after the first application of parasites, the percentage of stalks damaged, the percentage of internodes bored, and the level of parasitism were determined. Finally, at harvest the percentage of stalks damaged, the percentage of internodes bored, and sugarcane quality characteristics were determined. Results indicated that the efficiency of parasitism increased when combined with an application of silicon fertilizer. The release of 2,500 T. busseolae followed by an application of silicon fertilizer decreased dead hearts to 4%, while 12% dead hearts was observed in the control plots. For the combination treatment, the percentages of stalk damage were 1.5% and 17.2%, at 3 weeks and 3 months after time release, respectively. However, the percentages of stalk damage were 35.2% and 51% when no treatment was applied. Cane quality was significantly higher with the application of silicon fertilizer plus the release of 2,500 T. busseolae, followed by releasing 5,000 Hymenoptera. The level of parasitism was also greater when parasites were released in combination with an application of silicon. We conclude that biological control by egg parasitoids can be enhanced with concurrent applications of silicon fertilizer as a soil amendment and thereby creating a more robust, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program of stalk borers in Iranian sugarcane fields.

Susceptibility of Genetically Modified Maize Hybrids to Sugarcane Borer,Diatraea saccharalis(F.), at Sinaloa, Mexico

Use of genetically modified hybrids of maize, Zea mays L., is a pest management tool with special significance when a pest such as sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), becomes less responsive to conventional control methods. Resistance of genetically modified maize hybrids ‘AgrisureTM 3000 GT’ and ‘Agrisure® VipteraTM 3111’ were evaluated against stalk borers and compared with conventional hybrids with or without insecticide. During evaluation, few borers were found, especially during the first year (2012), but, in most cases, stalk damage by larvae was less in AgrisureTM 3000 GT and Agrisure® VipteraTM 3111 than in their conventional isolines. Insecticide did not prevent damage by the pest and even treated conventional maize was damaged. Use of AgrisureTM 3000 GT and Agrisure® VipteraTM 3111 hybrids can be a management tool to prevent damage by sugarcane borer in maize.

Genetic hitchhiking and resistance evolution to transgenic Bt toxins: insights from the African stalk borer Busseola fusca (Noctuidae).

Since transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins were first released, resistance evolution leading to failure in control of pests populations has been observed in a number of species. Field resistance of the moth Busseola fusca was acknowledged 8 years after Bt maize was introduced in South Africa. Since then, field resistance of this corn borer has been observed at several locations, raising questions about the nature, distribution and dynamics of the resistance trait. Using genetic markers, our study identified four outlier loci clearly associated with resistance. In addition, genetic structure at neutral loci reflected extensive gene flow among populations. A realistically parameterised model suggests that resistance could travel in space at speed of several kilometres a year. Markers at outlier loci delineated a geographic region associated with resistance spread. This was an area of approximately 100 km radius, including the location where resistance was first reported. Controlled crosses corroborated these findings and showed significant differences of progeny survival on Bt plants depending on the origin of the resistant parent. Last, our study suggests diverse resistance mutations, which would explain the widespread occurrence of resistant larvae in Bt fields across the main area of maize production in South Africa.

Effect of mass rearing and gamma irradiation on the mating behaviour of Eldana saccharina

AbstractAt low doses of radiation, F1 sterility of the sugarcane stalk borer, Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), can be attained. This bodes well for progression of the sterile insect technique (SIT) as part of an area‐wide integrated pest management strategy against this pest of economic importance. However, success of the SIT is dependent on mating ability and performance of the mass‐reared sterile insects once released into the field. Mating behaviour of non‐irradiated laboratory‐reared male E. saccharina moths and those subjected to radiation (150, 200, or 250 Gy) was investigated in still‐air cage laboratory trials. Video technology was used to determine whether mass rearing and irradiation of adult moths altered their performance in lek formation and mating success, compared to their untreated wild counterparts. Mating frequency, mating duration, onset of mating, and calling during the first two scotophase periods following adult eclosion were used to make these assessments. Results indicated that both irradiated and non‐irradiated laboratory‐reared males are able to form leks and mate with wild females, and are therefore as effective as their wild counterparts with regards to mating performance. However, a quantitative departure of male mating behaviour away from that exhibited by wild males was observed in the non‐irradiated and irradiated laboratory males. These commenced calling and mating earlier than wild males in both scotophases, except for those irradiated at 250 Gy in the case of mating onset. The mating duration of treated males was similar to that of the untreated wild males, except for those irradiated at 150 Gy, which was significantly higher. Our study provides evidence that increasing radiation dose negatively impacts on performance of laboratory‐produced moths relative to their wild counterparts, which in turn could affect the efficacy of the SIT. At 150 and 200 Gy, these parameters are not affected significantly when compared to untreated wild males, and thus these radiation doses can be used safely. However, at higher doses negative effects do become evident.

Effects of X-ray irradiation on different stages of Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and DNA damage

The corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides Lefebvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important corn pest in the Mediterranean countries. In this study, we investigated the influence of X-ray irradiation on different developmental stages, reproduction and DNA damage to the insect. Eggs (0–24h old), larvae (5th instar), pupae (5 days after pupation) and adults (24h after emergence) were irradiated with X-ray irradiation at target doses of 0 (control), 50, 100, 150 and 200Gy. Eggs irradiated at all doses did not hatch. When 5th instar were irradiated pupation and adult emergence significantly decreased. Fecundity of adults from irradiated pupae was inhibited and no eggs were laid. Moreover, adult longevity decreased after irradiation compared to control. Larvae, pupae, and adults of S. nonagrioides were studied using the single-cell gel electrophoresis (DNA comet) directly after irradiation. X-ray irradiated larvae, pupae, and adults showed typical DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner compared with cells from non-irradiated groups. The amount of DNA damage increased as doses increased and possibly could be used to estimate dose applied in commercial phytosanitary irradiation treatments. Furthermore, irradiation would be an effective phytosanitary treatment for shipped commodities at risk infestation with S. nonagrioides.

Bio-intensive management of internode borer (Chilo sacchariphagus indicus Kapur) and stalk borer (Chilo auricilius Dudgeon)

parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis, larval parasitiod, Cotesia flavipes and pupal parasitoid, Tetrastichus howardi against sugarcane internode and stalk borer in RBD with a plot size of 72sq.m. The incidence of internode borer ranged from 2.34 to 4.91% in treated plot as compared to control (7.87%) in August, however during October incidence ranged from 2.14 to 6.86%.At harvest, minimum incidence of internode borer (5.62%) was observed in T. chilonis followed by C. flavipes (7.52%) released plots. The released parasitoids are more active in the field for its parasitisation and multiplication which result a reduction in the incidence of INB in released plots where as beyond October the prevailing low temperature, appeared to be non-conductive for its mating and field parasitisation. The incidence of stalk borer during August and October was low (1.03- 5.54%). At harvest minimum incidence (5.55%) was observed in C. flavipes followed by T. howardi release plots (10.92%) as against 17.24% in control. Removal of dry leaves and late shoots was observed to reduce the damage by migratory borer larvae in August and October. The results indicates that parasitoids (egg, larva and pupal) play a significant role in the management of INB and SB to check the spread and lowering the incidence of this pests. It is suggested that a working of these parasitoids can be exploited in programmes for management of sugarcane stalk and internode borer.

Increased Risk of Insect Injury to Corn Following Rye Cover Crop.

Decreased pest pressure is sometimes associated with more diverse agroecosystems, including the addition of a rye cover crop (Secale cereale L.). However, not all pests respond similarly to greater vegetational diversity. Polyphagous pests, such as true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta Haworth), black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel), and common stalk borer (Papaipema nebris Guenee), whose host range includes rye have the potential to cause injury to crops following a rye cover crop. The objectives of this study were to compare the abundance of early-season insect pests and injury to corn (Zea mays L.) from fields with and without a rye cover crop on commercial farms. Fields were sampled weekly to quantify adult and larval pests and feeding injury to corn plants from mid-April until corn reached V8 stage, during 2014 and 2015. Measurements within fields were collected along transects that extended perpendicularly from field edges into the interior of cornfields. Adult true armyworm and adult black cutworm were captured around all cornfields, but most lepidopteran larvae captured within cornfields were true armyworm and common stalk borer. Cornfields with a rye cover crop had significantly greater abundance of true armyworm and greater proportion of injured corn. Both true armyworm abundance and feeding injury were significantly greater in the interior of cornfields with rye. Common stalk borer abundance did not differ between cornfields with or without rye cover. Farmers planting corn following a rye cover crop should be aware of the potential for increased presence of true armyworm and for greater injury to corn.

Simulation Modelling as a Decision Support in Developing a Sterile Insect-Inherited Sterility Release Strategy forEldana saccharina(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Abstract A user-friendly simulation tool for determining the impact of the sterile insect technique/inherited sterility technique (SIT/IS) on populations of the African sugarcane stalk borer, Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is described in this paper. The simulation tool is based on a spatio-temporal model. The design of the simulation tool is such that it is applicable for use in a number of pest/crop and pest control scenarios. It uses 4 interacting subsystems (pest species population dynamics, crop dynamics, environmental dynamics and economics) within a specified spatial domain. Furthermore, the spatial domain describes the layout of the agricultural crop (position, size, shape, crop age and variety of the different fields contained within the crop area). The pest species population subsystem describes E. saccharina population dynamics (but is designed to also include population dynamics of other pest species) under the influence of the IS technique. The E. saccharina module develope...

Datasets for transcriptomic analyses of maize leaves in response to Asian corn borer feeding and/or jasmonic acid.

Corn is one of the most widely grown crops throughout the world. However, many corn fields develop pest problems such as corn borers every year that seriously affect its yield and quality. Corn′s response to initial insect damage involves a variety of changes to the levels of defensive enzymes, toxins, and communicative volatiles. Such a dramatic change secondary metabolism necessitates the regulation of gene expression at the transcript level. In this paper, we summarized the datasets of the transcriptome of corn plants in response to corn stalk borers (Ostrinia furnacalis) and/or methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Altogether, 39, 636 genes were found to be differentially expressed. The sequencing data are available in the NCBI SRA database under accession number SRS965087. Our dataset will provide more scientific and valuable information for future work such as the study of the functions of important genes or proteins and develop new insect-resistant maize varieties.

Population Dynamics of Mexican Rice Borer,Eoreuma loftini(Dyar)1, Using a Pheromone Trap System in Sugarcane,Saccharum officinarumL., in Morelos, México

Abstract. The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is one of the most important pests of sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum L., in Mexico, but the population dynamics of the adult are not known for conditions in the state of Morelos. During the 2013 season, 11,282 adult males were caught, with the largest number of adults trapped on the eastern and western sides of the state. Two population peaks were observed, the first during the dry season (February-June) and the second during the rainy season (October- December). Implementing monitoring of this stalk borer as part of an integrated pest management program is discussed.

Selected Abiotic and Biotic Environmental Stress Factors Affecting Two Economically Important Sugarcane Stalk Boring Pests in the United States

Sugarcane, Saccharum spp., in the United States is attacked by a number of different arthropod pests. The most serious among those pests are two stalk boring moths in the Family Crambidae: the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), and the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar). The two species are affected by abiotic and biotic environmental stress factors. Water deficit and excessive soil nitrogen alter physical and physiochemical aspects of the sugarcane plant that make the crop increasingly vulnerable to E. loftini. Weed growth can be competitive with sugarcane but it also supports enhanced abundances and diversity of natural enemies that can suppress infestations of D. saccharalis. In an instance where the stalk borer is considered a stress factor, proximity of vulnerable crops to sugarcane can influence levels of E. loftini infestation of sugarcane. The adverse effects of each stress factor, in terms of stalk borer attack, can be reduced by adopting appropriate cultural practices, such as adequate irrigation, judicious use of nitrogen fertilizer, using noncompetitive weed growth, and not planting vulnerable crops near sugarcane fields. Understanding the relationships between stress factors and crop pests can provide valuable insights for plant breeders and tools for incorporation into integrated pest management strategies.

Species of Stalk Borers (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Damage to Maize in Southeastern Mexico

Abstract. Stalk borers (Diatraea spp.) are important pests of maize, Zea mays L., in the Neotropical region. The objective of this research was to identify the Diatraea species and assess the injury they cause and their effect on yield of maize at Tabasco, Mexico. In total, 199 larvae and 54 pupae were found infesting 319 (62.4%) of 511 plants sampled. Species analyses showed 97.6% were Diatraea lineolata (Dyar) and 2.4% D. saccharalis (F). Despite the great amount of injury, no significant difference between yield and the number of nodes injured per plant was observed (R2 = 0.014, P > 0.05). This is the first report of corn borers injuring maize in this area, and the findings suggest economic damage does not occur when stalk injury is <63% and maize matures before the borers complete development.

Analysis of key genes of jasmonic acid mediated signal pathway for defense against insect damages by comparative transcriptome sequencing

Corn defense systems against insect herbivory involve activation of genes that lead to metabolic reconfigurations to produce toxic compounds, proteinase inhibitors, oxidative enzymes, and behavior-modifying volatiles. Similar responses occur when the plant is exposed to methyl jasmonate (MeJA). To compare the defense responses between stalk borer feeding and exogenous MeJA on a transcriptional level, we employed deep transcriptome sequencing methods following Ostrinia furnacalis leaf feeding and MeJA leaf treatment. 39,636 genes were found to be differentially expressed with O. furnacalis feeding, MeJA application, and O. furnacalis feeding and MeJA application. Following Gene Ontology enrichment analysis of the up- or down- regulated genes, many were implicated in metabolic processes, stimuli-responsive catalytic activity, and transfer activity. Fifteen genes that indicated significant changes in the O. furnacalis feeding group: LOX1, ASN1, eIF3, DXS, AOS, TIM, LOX5, BBTI2, BBTI11, BBTI12, BBTI13, Cl-1B, TPS10, DOX, and A20/AN1 were found to almost all be involved in jasmonate defense signaling pathways. All of the data demonstrate that the jasmonate defense signal pathway is a major defense signaling pathways of Asian corn borer’s defense against insect herbivory. The transcriptome data are publically available at NCBI SRA: SRS965087.

Integrative taxonomy reveals six new species related to the Mediterranean corn stalk borerSesamia nonagrioides(Lefèbvre) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Sesamiina)

Species in the stem borer noctuid subtribe Sesamiina are notoriously difficult to distinguish because most related species have homogeneous wing patterns and almost indistinguishable genitalia. The latter is potentially problematic because this group includes several important pest species that are usually baregly distinguishable from non-pest species. In this study we focus on the Mediterranean corn stalk borer Sesamia nonagrioides (Lefebvre), an important pest of maize with a wide area of distribution that covers most of Africa and extends to the south of Europe and western Asia. According to a recent study, this pest consists of three allopatric populations that were formerly considered as distinct species or subspecies. Here we rely on recent collections of 5470 specimens (sampled in 17 countries and 175 localities) that putatively belong to S. nonagrioides. Integrative taxonomy studies allowed us to unravel the existence of six new species that are closely related to S. nonagrioides and described in this paper. In contrast to S. nonagrioides these new species have more specific ecological preferences, as they are associated with a limited number of plant species and habitats. Dating and population genetic analyses carried out on 100 S. nonagrioides specimens also indicate a more complex population structure than previously thought for S. nonagrioides, which can probably be accounted for by late Cenozoic environmental changes. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London

Response of Sugarcane and Sugarcane Stalk Borers Sesamia spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Calcium Silicate Fertilization.

Sugarcane is grown extensively throughout the world including more than 100,000ha in Khuzestan province, Iran. The pink stalk borers Sesamia are key pests of sugarcane in this region, while other stalk borers will occur in sugarcane worldwide. Application of silicon as a soil amendment has provided plant mitigation to both biotic and abiotic stresses. Silicon has been shown to enhance resistance of sugarcane against stalk borers. Field trials were conducted to determine the effects of calcium silicate against infestations of stalk borers Sesamia spp. and on yield quality. Experiments were conducted with three sugarcane varieties CP69-1062, IRC99-01, and SP70-1143 and two rates of calcium silicate (400 and 800kg/ha). Percentage of stalk damaged, percentage of bored internodes, length of borer tunnel (mm), number of larvae + pupae per 100 stalks, number of exit holes, and cane yield quality were determined. We demonstrate significant reduction on borer population and damage under silicon treatment, but greater reduction in the percentages of stalk damage, bored internodes, moth exit holes, and length of borer tunnel and number of larvae and pupae per 100 stalks were observed in the susceptible variety CP69-1062. Silicon treatment positively affected cane and sugarcane juice quality of for the variety CP69-1062, but not for SP70-1143. We conclude that the benefits of silicon to sugarcane quality and sugarcane resistance to stalk borers are dependent on the sugarcane variety.