Effect of Chloroheptane, Dieldrin on Leaf Miner Leptispapygmaea (Baly.) on Sugarnane Crop: A Case study of Mathura Region

Sugarcane is an important crop in India. About 200 species of insects are found to be harmful for sugarcane crop in India, out of which, 17 species have been recorded in Northern India. The Pest leaf miner, the larvae of the Cerambycoidean beetle, Leptispapygmaea (Baly.), have been found to be very destructive to sugarcane in the Northern India since 1956 when they were first recorded there, migrated from south India. The pest has since been found to occur in serious numbers in certain adjoining areas and also in sugarcane belt of India. Damage is done by the larvae by feeding on cane roots. Heavily infested cane clumps dry out completely and in severe infestations as much as 80 per cent of the crop is lost. The infestation occurs only on light sandy soils; crops on clay soils are not affected. The February-planted crop suffers more seriously than those planted in October. The adults have not so far been observed doing any damage to sugarcane. Different concentrations of Dieldrin were applied to control the larval outbreak. A control of upto 82% in larval mortality ratio was found.