Jia Xuan

Institute of Life Sciences, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Molecular Entomology, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0004
Received: 25 Dec., 2023    Accepted: 05 Feb., 2024    Published: 25 Feb., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Xuan J., 2024, Advances in biological control methods for managing sugarcane insects, Molecular Entomology, 15(1): 23-31 (doi: 10.5376/me.2024.15.0004) 

The objective of this systematic review is to explore recent advances in biological control methods for managing sugarcane insect pests and to evaluate their role in integrated pest management (IPM). By synthesizing current research, this review highlights key biological control agents and their efficacy against major sugarcane insect pests, emphasizing classical, augmentative, and conservation strategies. Classical biological control approaches focus on the introduction of exotic natural enemies, such as parasitoids and predators, which have shown significant success in managing pests like the sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) and root borer (Diaprepes abbreviatus). Augmentative strategies involve mass rearing and periodic release of natural enemies like Trichogramma spp. and Cotesia flavipes, which have proven effective in reducing pest populations. Conservation biological control emphasizes habitat management practices that enhance the survival and efficacy of native and introduced natural enemies. Furthermore, microbial control agents such as entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana), bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), and viruses are gaining prominence in sugarcane pest management due to their specificity and environmental safety. This review provides insights into the potential of these biological control methods in sustainable sugarcane pest management and underscores the importance of integrating them into broader IPM frameworks.

Sugarcane pests; Biological control; Predators; Parasitoids; Microbial control; Integrated pest management