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  6. Stem borers of sugarcane

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Stem borers of sugarcane (Chilo spp.) (exotic species)

PLANT PEST

Stem borers of sugarcane would be difficult to control if they made it into Australia’s cane fields.  This is stalk borer Chilo terrenellus. N. Sallam, BSES, PaDIL
Stem borers of sugarcane would be difficult to control if they made it into Australia’s cane fields.
Chilo terrenellus. N. Sallam, BSES, PaDIL

Stem borers of sugarcane (Chilo spp.) (exotic species)

Exotic to Australia

Features: Medium to large moths that eat through sugarcane plantations as caterpillars

Where they’re from: Indonesia, New Guinea and sometimes on nearby islands including in Torres Strait

How they spread: Importation of caterpillars or eggs on infested sugarcane; local spread by flying moths

At risk: Sugarcane, rice, sorghum and corn

Report it

Keep it out

Keep it out/stop the spread

Stem borers of sugarcane are a group of related insects that feed inside canes causing extensive damage. The borers are big eaters, sometimes ruining 70–80 per cent of the crop.

Many of this group of borers, as well as their preferred host—sugarcane—are native to New Guinea. Some have been known to make it across to islands in the Torres Strait, so biosecurity efforts are focussed on preventing the spread across to the Australian mainland.

The amount of damage these borers cause in crops varies with the particular species. The most severe losses occur with:

  • top borer (Scirpophaga excerptalis)
  • ramu shoot borer (Sesamia grisescens)
  • stalk borer (Chilo sacchariphagus)
  • stalk borer (Chilo terrenellus).

Adults are medium sized grey or white moths that lay eggs in sugarcane. Larvae hatch out and feed, creating tunnels in the stem that kill the plant.

Stem borers threaten Australia’s valuable sugarcane industry and the communities that rely on it.

Importing goods

To keep sugarcane stem borers out of Australia, never ignore Australia’s strict biosecurity rules.
Import shipments may need to be treated and certified, so before you import, check our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Growers

Be aware that Queensland has Sugar Cane Biosecurity Zones to stop the spread of unwanted pests and diseases. Always comply with these biosecurity restrictions to prevent the spread of pests and weeds. A map of these areas is available from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website (PDF).

What to look for

  • Adults are medium sized grey or white moths.
  • Grubs are 3-5 cm long and create tunnels in stems.
  • Small holes may be visible on infested stalks.
  • Upper leaves turn brown.
  • Eggs on the underside of leaves.
  • Frass (faecal pellets) caught in the lower leaves.
Close up of creamy-white stripy plant stalk with a hole in the centre.
Look for holes in sugarcane stalks. S. Eyres WA Department of Agriculture and Food, PaDIL
A creamy brown greyish moth with brown eyes and one curly antennae with a silver pin on a grey background.
Moths are medium size, grey to white. Amy Carmichael Queensland University of Technology, PaDIL.

Where to look

Importers

Importation of infested cane poses the greatest threat of stem borers of sugarcane making it to Australia. The importation of sugarcane into Australia is prohibited, except for setts specifically imported for propagation at approved post-entry facilities.

Growers

  • Abide by restrictions that apply in sugarcane biosecurity zones.
  • Use good plantation biosecurity including:
    • always purchasing cane that has been inspected by a Sugarcane Productivity Service provider
    • monitoring your crops frequently
    • practicing good farm hygiene.

Everything you need to know is available from Farm Biosecurity.

What to do

If you think you’ve found sugarcane infested with stem borer:

  • take a photo
  • do not disturb infected plants (this may be as simple as closing the doors on a shipping container or covering infested canes with paper bags or fertiliser bags tied tightly around the stems.)

Report it

Seen something unusual? Report it. Even if you’re not sure.

Report it without delay

Read the detail

  • NSW Department of Primary Industries: Sugarcane internode borer
  • Farm Biosecurity: Find out about pests of sugarcane and how to protect your farm

General enquiries

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Page last updated: 03 April 2025

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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