WHEAT STEM BORER. 



FIG. 140. 

 Wheat Stem Borer. (Magnified twice.} 



This species has been found during the cold weather in wheat and 



during the hot weather and 

 rains in sorghum, rice and 

 cane. It is a common cane 

 pest in Behar, and an 

 important wheat pest in 

 Gujarat and Nagpur. 

 There is a considerable 

 amount of confusion as to the identity of the various wheat and rice 

 borers reported in India in the past, but this species is probably the most 

 important and will be found to be widespread. 



There is no remedy for it beyond the few commonsense precautions 



which are suggested by the habits 



of the pest. When first found in a 



^i^fc^S-A^^^HBl wheat crop, the crop should be 



P^B^i'tf^ periodically examined, and all 



withered plants at once destroyed. 



%?' *J The pest is first found in the most 



advanced wheat in the districts 

 / \ where it multiplies, seriously injur- 



ing the later wheat. If the first 



brood is destroyed, no appreciable 

 harm will result. It is unlikely 

 that cultivators will ever find the 



FIG. 141. 



The Wheat Stem Borer Moth. 

 (Slightly magnified.) 



eggs and destroy them, though this is 

 quite feasible. 



The increase of the pest is much 

 assisted in sorghum-growing localities 

 by the practice of leaving the 

 sorghum stumps in the ground after 

 harvest. With a few showers in Febru- 

 ary, the stumps grow new shoots in 

 which the caterpillars of this pest are 

 found after the wheat is reaped. This 

 helps the insect through a very critical 

 period. Where this insect attacks wheat 

 on the experimental farm, spraying with 

 lead arseniate must be resorted to if the 

 full yield is required. It thrives on the 

 plots of varieties of wheat, grown possibly 

 with irrigation under abnormal conditions 



FIG. 142. 



The Wheat Stem Borer Moth. 

 (Magnified twice.) 



