Copyright @2001, by PHILSURIN All Rights Reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any

means, electronic or mechanical, includingphotocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Published in the Philippines
Philippine Sugar Research Institute Makati City 1226, PHILIPPINES

(PHILSURIN)

First Edition
ISBN: 971-92281-2-1

MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING

OF

WHITE GRUBS

IN SUGARCANE

Gorgonio M. Quimio, Ph.D.

Co-authors Dante R. Santiago, Ph.D. Flor A. Ceballo, M.S. Edwin A. Benigno, Ph.D. Sofronio M. Bato, Ph.D.

National Crop Protection Center

College of Agriculture University of the Philippines Los Banos College, Laguna, 4031 Philippines

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction 4

5 7 11 13

Life History and Behavior Descriptions of Different Life Stages Host Range and Distribution
How to Detect and Monitor Grubs and Beetles in Sugarcane Beetle detection and monitoring Grub detection and monitoring

15

Management Options
Cultural and physical control Biological control Chemical control Integrated Pest Management

27

References

36

Figures
Fig. 1. Nature of damage: roots and cane stems eaten up by grubs. 17 Fig. 2. Sugarcane plants dying prematurely; part of severely infested field in Batangas 18 Fig. 3. Severely infested canefields in Batangas. 19 Fig. 4. A diagram illustrating the approximate life cycle of the June beetle, L. inorata. 9 Fig. 5. Different stages of growth and development in the life system of the June beetle, L. irrorata. 20 Figs. 6 and 7. Male and female June beetles. 21 Fig. 8. Location of areas in the Philippines with history of grub infestation in sugarcane. 13 Fig. 9. Grubs and developing pupae die due to desiccation when disturbed and exposed to sun. 22 Fig. 10. Grubs are killed when fields are flooded. 22 Fig. 11. Some of the general insect predators common in the sugarcane ecosystem. 23 Fig. 12. Scoliid wasp - parasite of cane grubs. 24

Figures
Fig. 1. Nature of damage: roots and cane stems eaten up by grubs. 17 Fig. 2. Sugarcane plants dying prematurely; part of severely infested field in Batangas 18 Fig. 3. Severely infested canefields in Batangas. 19 Fig. 4. A diagram illustrating the approximate life cycle of the June beetle, L. inorata. 9 Fig. 5. Different stages of growth and development in the life system of the June beetle, L. inorata. 20 Figs. 6 and 7. Male and female June beetles. 21
Fig. 8. Location of areas in the Philippines with history of grub infestation in sugarcane. 13 Fig. 9. Grubs and developing pupae die due to desiccation when disturbed and exposed to sun. 22

Fig. 10. Grubs are killed when fields are flooded. 22 Fig. 11. Some of the general insect predators common in the sugarcane ecosystem. 23 Fig. 12. Scoliid wasp - parasite of cane grubs. 24

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Grateful acknowledgments to PHILSURIN DirectorGeneral Leon Arceo and Deputy-Director Ramon Cu for their full support, dedication and recognition of the importance of research towards the improvement of the sugar industry; to PHILSURIN mill district development coordinators Ike Durian (CARSUMCO), Edel Ocampo (CADP), Manny Gallego (HPCo), Fred Barredo and Lyn Luzaran (VMC), Philip Hofilena (Ma-ao), Rico Esteban (BISCOM), Dodong Fernandez (SONEDCO), Allan Gojoco (Ormoc-Kananga) and Ex Danlag (BUSCO) and NCPC technical staff Andy Anenias, Bonie Rizaldo, Dado Dechitan, Danny Vargas, Bert Fulay and Ren_e Arapan, for the help ,and cooperation during field works; Edwin Micosa for the illustrations; and Jun Lit (UPLB-MNH) for editorial assistance and identification of the ant species.

Photos by G.M. Quimio

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Grateful acknowledgments to PHILSURIN DirectorGeneral Leon Arceo and Deputy-Director Ramon Cu for their full support dedication and recognition of the importance of research towards the improvement of the sugar industry; to PHILSURIN mill district development coordinators Ike Durian (CARSUMCO), Edel Ocampo (CADP), Manny Gallego (HPCo), Fred Barredo and Lyn Luzaran (VMC), Philip Hofilena (Ma-ao), Rico Esteban (BISCOM), Dodong Fernandez (SONEDCO), Allan Gojoco (Ormoc-Kananga) and Ex Danlag (BUSCO) and NCPC technical staff Andy Anenias, Bonie Rizaldo, Dado Dechitan, Danny Vargas, Bert Fulay and Ren_e Arapan, for the help ,and cooperation during field works; Edwin Micosa for the illustrations; and Jun Lit (UPLB-MNH) for editorial assistance and identification of the ant species.

Photos by G.M. Quimio

Introduction

White grubs are one of the most destructive insect pests attacking sugarcane in the Philippines. This pest is considered a menace because of its voracious root-feeding habit. The grubs (the immature stage of beetles) live most of their lifetime in the soil. Detection of the pest grub is not easy because of its subterranean habit. After living most of their life underground, the grubs emerge as full-grown adults or beetles immediately after the first heavy rain in Mayor June. By the time the grubs become beetles, their food preference shift to leaves of trees making them virtually harmless to sugarcane. However, the beetles are responsible for producing eggs that become the succeeding batch of grubs which will re-infest the existing cane plants in the field. Damage to sugarcane is enormous as grubs enter the final growth stage. The fully-grown grub reaches its biggest size equipped with well-developed, powerful mandibles capable of chewing tough, mature roots. In severe infestation, not only the roots but also the base nodes of cane plants are eaten up rendering the plants severely stunted, losing anchor and dislodge from the soil (Fig. 1). Eventually, the cane plants dry up and die prematurely (Fig. 2). Cane yield on a six month-old crop can be reduced by 60% (roughly 30 tons cane/ha) based on one grub/ stool assessment (Tianco and de Ocampo, 1992). Crop damage is not conspicuous during the early stage of infestation but when the visible signs show up, actions for remedial measures to counter the damage often become too late and/ or in'lpractical (Fig. 3).

Management

amI Monitor!,!~

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

Several species of beetles are associated with sugarcane (Gabriet 1997). The most common and most destructive species is the "June or toy beetle", Leucopholis irrorata (Chevrolat). Its local name depends on where you are because of different languages and dialects. These include "salagubang" (Tagalog) or "labug-Iabug" (Visayan) for beetles while the grubs are called" ulalo" or" uok" in Tagalog, "tatad" in Pampango or "bucan" and "bunlod" in Visayan. Other beetle species include several species of Holotrichia, Anomala, Adoretus and one species of Oryctes. In pest management, a good knowledge of the pest is needed like what it is, where it lives? What damage does it cause? What is and how long is its life cycle? Which stage is causing the damage? Why, when, where and how shall we go about controlling them? For instance, grub infestation usually occurs in areas with loose clay loam or alluvial soils and being such, these areas could be expected to have had a history of grub infestation. Generally, different grub species differ in biology and ecology. Though strategies for management could be similar, the timing of application or their susceptibility to insecticides and specificity of natural enemies would differ accordingly. Nevertheless, changes in weather pattern (rainfall), crop management practices and the nature of prevalent grub species in the infested areas must be identified, properly monitored and studied so that appropriate control strategies and proper timing of control application would be implemented. In this publication, the species L. irrorata is given more emphasis unless otherwise stated. It is the most common and most destructive and its bio-ecology is relatively known. Referrals to other species would -require careful analyses concerning appropriate management strategies.

LifeHistoryandBehavior
Emergence of full-grown beetles usually depends or coincides with the onset of the rainy season, between May and June. When rainwater penetrates and softens the earthen pupation cell, moisture perhaps sends signals to the fully' developed beetle inside the cell to emerge from and crawl up to the ground surface. The first heavy rainfall in summer is very crucial because soil moisture seems to trigger the emergence of the beetles and signals the coming of the next swarm of beetles that will eventually breed and produce the succeeding generation. Beetles usually emerge at dusk then fly and alight to/specific tree species like mango, 'sineguelas', and tamarind. During daytime, beetles can be seen perched on these trees. Being nocturnal, beetles are very active at night feeding on the leaves of these trees, flying to search for mates and to lay eggs at preferred oviposition sites. All of these activities the beetles do within a period of about two months at the most and then they die. The young grub feeds initially on organic matter, root hairs and root tips gradually shifting to mature roots and underground cane parts as the larva matures. The almost 6 to 8 months of root feeding by grubs is considered the most destructive period to sugarcane. In univoltine species like 1. irrorata, this gradual shift in feeding habits correlates with the physiological and morphological development of the grub and growth of the sugarcane crop, i.e. mature grubs have large bodies and well-developed mandibles adapted for devouring hard, matured roots of canes.

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

In Sugarcane

The pupa is the resting or inactive stage. The pupal stage serves as the transition stage to adult stage where the skin hardens, the legs and wings gradually form as appendages for fully-developed beetles. By the time summer rains fall, they are already full-grown beetles capable of breaking out of their pupation cell and crawling aboveground. At dusk, the beetles emerge and fly to harboring trees to feed and mate. Later, these females will return to the field to lay eggs into the soil and hence, their life cycle goes on. In a typical one-year life cycle species like L. irrorata, the approximate life system is discussed and illustrated as follows (Fig. 4): Jan.: Grubs reach their final growth stage (large size) but gradually becol1Lingless active prior to pupation. This time, most of the sugarcanes are being harvested. Feb.: Grubs cease feeding and start burrowing deeper into the subsoil; each grub builds a pupation chamber by moving around thus compacting the surrounding soil and eventually creating an enclosure or cell. While inside the chamber, the grub sheds-off the last larval skin so as to continue life in the form of an inactive pupa. March-April: Pupation period, followed by transformation into fully developed adult (beetle). Most cane fields already harvested, others plowed-over and replanted.
\

April: Fully developed beetle inside earthen-cell, located deep underground - an adaptation to escape summer heat and potential desiccation. May-June: Heavy rain softens the pupation cell; some beetles may emerge early if previous rainfall has been heavy or slight but sustained. Cane crops start re-growth prod ucing new shoots and roots.

~ ~ @

~ ~
l'

~I~I@I~
.

Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Fig. 4. A diagram illustrating the approximate life cycle of the June beetle, L. irrorata based on our ecological studies conducted in Batangas.

Management

and M!!f/ltorlng

of Whlte

Grubs

In Sugarcane

June- July: Beetle emerges to ground surface, night fligh t to host trees, undergoes period of sexual maturity; sexes meet and mate. Crops gaining height/ shoots.
July: Beetles fly to breeding areas, oviposit eggs; eggs hatch into small grubs, feed on organic matter and developing roots. Aug.-Dec.-Jan.: Developing grubs actively feeding on roots; undergoes three stages of development and growth to increase body size; most destructive stage; canes lodge and die in severely infested areas. Sugarcanes at pre-harvest to harvesting stages.

CD

Descriptions of Different Life Stages

White grubs, in general, pass through several stages of growth and development in order to complete their life cycle (Fig.S). Nevertheless, the description provided below refers to a univoltine species (1. irrorata) and may differ from other smaller-sized species prevalent in the southern areas of the country. Adult stage (= beetle). The adult of 1. irrorata is glossy black with slight tinge of reddish shade densely set with gray scales (grayish-brown), thus presenting a speckled appearance (Fig. Se,f). They are large robust beetles, measuring on the average 30mm long and 15 mm wide (Braza, 1991). Several tree species, such as mango, tamarind, 'sineguelas', lanzones and betlenut often serve as harborage. The young beetle emerges from the soil at dusk following heavy rains that soften the pupation chamber. Adult beetles are active during the early hours of the night - finding mates, mating, and feeding or going for oviposition flights. Sexes can be differentiated by the structure of the tibial spurs on the hind legs, the female having broad or lobe-like spurs while the males have pointed, slender spines (Figs. 6 and 7). The sexes me'et and mate on the host tree i.e. mango and then the females return into the field at night, burrow themselves into the soil to lay eggs. One female beetle is capable of ovipositing at least 30 eggs. These are deposited 20-30 cm below the ground surface. Egg stage. Eggs are somewhat elongated, about 2.5 mm in diameter and opaque-white with leather-like covering (Fig. Sa). The eggs are deposited at night singly but close

41)

Management and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

In Sugarcane

together and usually hatch in about 6 to 9 days. Larval stage. The larvae or grubs have curved, creamy white, fleshy, robust and wrinkled bodies, which turn paleyellow when about to pupate (Fig. 5b). The head is brown
and prominent, with visible strong mandibles

C teeth").

Three pairs of legs are prominent; the hind part of the body is smooth and shiny, the body contents showing through the skin. The larva measures 50-60 mm long and 10 mm wide at maturity (Braza, 1991). From June to ]anuaryFebruary the larvae feed on roots, often to a depth of 45 cm" before going to the pupal stage. Pupal stage. Full-grown grub burrows down.15 to 120 cm deep into the soil during the dry season, and then forms a compact earthen cell which encloses the grub that is about to pupate. The pupation cell protects the pupa from desiccation. The insect remains as pupa (Fig. 5c) from 65 to 75 days before gradually developing into winged adults.

49

Host RangeandDistribution
Known hosts of 1. irrorata grubs in the Philippines, other than sugarcane, include staple crops like upland rice, corn, cassava, plantation trees like Paraserianthes falcataria, Calliandra alothyrsus and Acacia mangium (Braza 1990; Litsinger et al. 1983), grasses and weeds such as napier, crab grass, and Cyperus rotundus.

Distribution and History of Infestation

The white Batangas grub is a destructive pest of sugarcane in most mill districts especially in Batangas, Bukidnon and various parts of Negros Island (Fig. 8).

Tarlac
Pampanga

Bukidnon

. fIIIf-'"

'.-!",,"-!io

r.,"..

Fig. 8. Location of areas in the Philippines with history of grub infestation in sugarcane.

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

Previous accounts of severe grub infestation Negros Island: As early as 1910, Merrill and Banks (1910) reported serious infestation in Negros. In 1927, Uichanco reported grubs rampant among lowland haciendas stretching from Manapla in southern Negros to Kabankalan in the south. In May 28, 1930 at La Carlota about 2,625,272 beetles were collected and in May 31, 1931 (La Carlot a) about 1,887,316 beetles were also collected belonging to species L. irrorata, Lep idiota pru iIwsa, S teplW17 ophol is philippin ensis, H 010trichia sp. Saplala (1957) conducted surveys on 7 mill districts in Negros Occidental and reported the folJowing: Victorias - 85 hectares infested; 1,700 piculs sugar loss Hawaiian-Philippines - 350 has; 7,609 piculs sugar loss Talisay-Silay - 200' has; 4,304 piculs sugar loss Bacolod-Murcia - 250 has; 5,010 piculs sugar loss Ma-ao - 300 has; 5,916 piculs sugar loss La Carlota - 500 has.; 11,650 piculs sugar loss Binalbagan-Isabela - 600 has; 13,320 piculs sugar lost. Cebu: February, 1931: Bogo Medellin Milling Co., Cebu. Panay: October, 1930: Panay centrals Sara-Ajuy, Pilar; SantosLopez central in Barotac Nuevo. Luzon: White grub occurrence has been a perennial problem in most mill districts (Lopez and Pegenia,1964). In Batangas, about 71.9 hectares affected areas (in 1930s) in the towns Balayan, Calaca, Nasugbu, Lian and Tuy. Also in Pampanga Sugar Development Co., Pampanga, (1930); in 1927, Uichanco reported infestation in Luzon canefields along riverside in Cabuyao, Laguna and Marauoy, Lipa City. In 1992, "Operation Salagubang" yielded about 2.5 million beetles at the Don Pedro mill district (Tianco, unpublished paper); severe infestation noted in Tuy, Batangas with about 30 has infested in 1999 (personal observation, Quimio, 2000).

HowtoDetect andMonitor Grubs andBeetles in Sugarcane

Sampling for grubs is difficult and costly because the pest cannot be observed without labor-intensive destructive sampling. The subterranean nature of grubs makes it extremely difficult to monitor the incidence of this pest and predict their potential damage to the standing crop. Often when farmers see the damage, efforts to control the pest usually become useless or ineffective because such would be too late for the crop to recover from the damage. Therefore, an effective and sustained monitoring system of the pest, particularly in historically or frequently infested areas, must always be an important component in all grub management activities.

CD

Beetle Detectionand Monitoring

1. As the SUll1l11er season ends, start to monitor and record rainfall at least 1 km radius within your area and/ or vicinity. (Water softens the earthen pupation cell of the beetle leading to beetle emergence from the soil). Therefore, if rainfall was heavy or moderate but pro'11'/1/1/;)i 11m) longed and water I" ,,, I~~' '/1jI.' 'i.i;' I II /I, ~/"~ 'I I 'III' penetrated at least 20-30 cm. deep into the soil, then start beetle monitoring, as follows.

Howto Detect andMonitor Grubs andBeetles in Sugarcane

Sampling for grubs is difficult and costly because the pest cannot be observed without labor-intensive destructive sampling. The subterranean nature of grubs makes it extremely difficult to monitor the incidence of this pest and predict their potential damage to the standing crop. Often when farmers see the damage, efforts to control the pest usually become useless or ineffective because such would be too late for the crop to recover from the damage. Therefore, an effective and sustained monitoring system of the pest, particularly in historically or frequently infested areas, must always be an important component in all grub management activities. Beetle Detection and Monitoring

CD

1. As the SUll1l11er season ends, start to monitor and record rainfaU at least 1 km radius within your area and/ or vicinity. (Water softens the earthen pupation cell of the beetle leading to beetle emergence from the soil). Therefore, if rainfall was heavy or moderate but prolonged and water penetrated at least 20-30 cm. deep into the soil, then start beetle monitoring, as follows.

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

;}

/XJf . JP,

:lk
n

<\'...\

11

.\1'1.II.~I-"" \I-"~ II,""'" ".." \1- ",'.- . bait,

2. Set up the beetle traps, tanteitherlighttrapand/orattrac baited trap, whichever is available.

,

(Please

refer

to the

proced section

ure for

described preparation traps ).

below under attractant and installation of the

ll1anagement

3. Inspect traps daily and observe host trees like mango, tamarind and' sineguelas' for initial occurrence of beetles. Beetles can be seen actively hovering at dusk but are usually perched, inactive or "sleeping" on these trees during daytime. 4. Continue trapping if beetles are present. Start beetle collection from trees when population is rapidly increasing (for about 1-2 months depending on severity),

5. Kill collected beetles immediately either by suffocating beetles on sacks, throwing on big cans with hot water or feeding to chickens and d licks.

.~Q
~7W'~'~

'Jll~p ~ '".. 9.;I r ,I. , . '. ":'.' 0tt JOe 10' ~. ,.

CD

Fig. 1. Nature of damage: roots and cane stems eaten up by grubs. (Tuy, Batangas; CY1999).

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

Fig. 2. Sugarcane pla!lts dying prematurely; part of severely infested field in Brgy. Acle, Tuy, Batangas (November, 2000).

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Suflarcane

Fig. 2. Sugarcane pla!lts dying prematurely; part of severely infested field in Brgy. Acle, Tuy, Batangas (November, 2000).

CD

0 0 N , m

m m

......

>U

en CtI OJ c: CtI +-' CtI CCI

f-

>::J

..;,(. 0 ..0 ::J CCI OJ c: 0 ::J CCI

CD

OJ as c: en -0
(!) ;.;::: (!) c: CtI U -0 (!) +-' en (!) ..... c: >(!) ... (!) > (!) en

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M OJ u:

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

5e. Newly-formed beetle still inside the pupation chamber.

5f. At dusk, beetles fly to trees like mango or tamarind to search for food and for mating

Mating of sexes

.
~

5d. Pupae transforming into adult beetle.

5a. Eggs (magnified 3x)

5b. Larvae or grubs

~
5c. Pupa inside the earthen cell; casted last larval skin at the foreground. Figs. 5. Different stages of growth and development system of the June beetle, L. irrorata. in the life

Figs. 6 and 7. Female (top) and male (bottom) June beetles. Sexual differences: females have broad, lobe-like tibial spur on their hind legs instead of pointed spines in males.

'fI ""

'"

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs in

S_ugarcane

Fig. 9. Grubs and developing pupae die due to desiccation when disturbed and exposed to sun. Also, thorough cultivation and/ or deep plowing will expose grubs and pupae to natural enemies and harsh conditions.

Fig. 10. Grubs are killed when fields are flooded. Flooding the field is an alternative option for cane growers to reduce grub infestation, if irrigation system is available and economically feasible.

Fig. 11. Some of the general insect predators sugarcane ecosystem:

common

in the

a. Earwig,

b. Red ants, So/enopsis

geminata ruta

c. A predatory carabid b'eetle.

Fig. 11. Some of the general insect predators common in the

sugarcane ecosystem:

a. Earwig,

b. Red ants, Solenopsis

geminata rufa

c. A predatory carabid lJeetle.

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

Fig. 12. Scoliid wasp - parasite of cane grubs. The grub, once attacked, ceases feeding and die slowly as the parasitic larva develops externally until pupation.

r-:-I." ....
I

.
CI

r;';

L- a). Parasitized grub - note the wasp larva still attached and deriving nourishment from the immobilized grub.

--

b). Wasp cocoons.

pupae

inside

c). Adult emerged cocoons.

scoliid wasp that from one of the

GrubDetection and Monitoring

1. Because the abundance of grubs is highly related to the abundance of gravid female beetles, it is impo.rtant to record the first heavy rain or monitor rainfall as in beetle monitoring.

"""I.~I'/ljJl 'J:} /" /I,~/~,~'I, '/,,!

"I,/;"fjiFiF'!ffi; ,

XXXXXXX>c><XXXXI< )CoX /!"ll.i!I x X 9fMj x 1( xx >ex x ~ X X x)()( x x x x x tiWJiIx x ~ x x x xllWJi)Co xx xxxxx><xx xxxx. x.x xx xx xl< X)( xl< X x xxlf{fJ.lx
x. )(

- x (8 'txx x x x._1f,
xX x)(. xx
Jt-

x8

'X

2. Monitor beetle eggs apd grubs starting at about 50 days after the heavy rain, using the sampling unit as follows: Dig soil one linear meter-hill covering 1/2of the hill and 1/2of the furrow (= 50 cm x 100 cm size x 15 cm deep). Take 4 equi-distant samples about 2 m inward from each side and another 4 samples from the central area of the sugarcane field. Make a total of 20 of samples increased

x x.

rax - x8x X )( x)( Ie X X

)'. x. X ~ "" x xix '"

fa

X xfIfBxx
X,)f,. xx,xx X X flmix8x X )<.. x x x

I(

~.. 't

)(

X X. X

~~~~.

samplings per ha. (number proportionately with hectarage).

Dig using small trowel or dig thinly using a spade and count the number of grubs found per meter of soil.

Management

ana Monitoring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

3. Count the number of grubs per sample unit and record the number of samples that have grubs. Treat the whole area with recommended insecticide (e.g. ApacheTM, FuradanTM ) when grub counts reaches 40 grubs per 20 sample-hills. If small patchy areas are infested, spot treatments could be done. However, infestation boundaries must first be located before treatment should be made on specific infested areas. One way is to do further sampling, by digging-up one hill every five meters at four cardinal directions, radiating away from the original sampling site where grubs were detected. 4. Monitor first crop plantings for 1-6 months or 1-4 months for ratoon crops.

Management Options
Cultural and physical control
Several conventional methods aimed to reduce grub population could be adopted by cane farmers whenever applicable. Cultivation. Thorough cultivatiop of sugar cane fields will expose grubs to general predators like birds, earwigs and fire ants. The exposed grubs during tillage operation can also be collected manually and killed by throwing them into hot water. Deep plowing, besides exposing grubs and pupae to natural predators, also inflicts physical damage to the pest. Grubs are very sensitive and even slight physical abrasions and exposure to the sun would be sufficient to kill them (Fig. 9). Weeding and sanitation. Grubs eat not only sugarcane roots but also those of weeds. Maintain clean culture by removing weeds. Grasses and plants with fibrous roots, alternate hosts of the developing grubs, must be removed regularly. Irrigation. Too much water drowns the grubs, one of the best reasons why grubs are seldom seen in waterlogged areas and in clay soils but common in sandy loam or alluvial soils. In areas where applicable and irrigation system is available, flooding the field would help reduce the grub population. Our surveys in Lian, Batangas showed about 20-35 percent mortality of grubs monitored in flooded areas after an extended rainfall (Fig. 10). Beetle trapping. Beetles can be lured to come and be caught in traps. Traps are used generally as monitoring tool,

Managem_ent

and Moo/taring

of White

Grubs

in Sugarcane

however, it can also be useful in reducing beetle population. Two types of beetle traps can be used, one using white light and the other using attractant baits like red chilies or fermented barks of certain tree species. The procedure is provided below: 1. Light traps are set (preferably white light, ~ 150 wattequivalent) along corners of the sugarcane field and/ or close to trees such as mango, sineguelas, or tamarind. A wide basin half-full of water, with a pinch of detergent, is placed beneath the light trap as catchment for the attracted beetles. However, light traps attract not only the beetles but also the beneficial insects e.g. parasites and predators, therefore traps must be used only in areas where the natural enemy population is low. 2. Attractant-baited traps a) Beetles are normally active at dusk and ca..'1 be collected easily by lures or baits made out of fermented barks of local tree species such as aratiles (Muntingia calabura), anabu (Melochia umbellata). Farmers in Northern Philippines particularly in Cagayan province, traditionally use the trap (called IIkeddeng" or IIimod"') to attract newly-emerged beetles mainly for cooking them into a special recipe. Steps on how to prepare the bark-based attractant trap: 1. Bark strips are taken from the trunk and large branches of either aratiles, anabu or vuknung tree. 2. Barks are submerged and covered fully with mud in canal ditches to allow rotting or fermentation.

3. After at least two weeks, the barks are removed from the ditch and washed under running water to reduce the mud sticking on the fibers 4. Bark strips are then spread to air-dry 5. A small amount of vinegar (optional) is sprayed on the strips and then stored inside clean plastic bag while not yet being used. 6. At dusk, the bark strips'are tied on pairs of bamboo poles near cane fields 7. The beetles attracted collected and then killed. to the strips are

b) Chili-based attractant - Some farmers in Central Luzon, Philippines (GMQ, personal communication, 1999) and in Indonesia (Jongeleen, 1979), used bamboo leaves laced with macerated red chilies, as attractant bait for beetle collection. Red hot peppers are macerated in mortar and pestle and the paste is used as bait for attracting beetles. The macerated chilies are spread on bamboo leaves tied together to form a bundle. The bundles are raised on 2-meter poles placed near cane fields to attract emerging beetles. The attracted beetles are also collected for food. Beetle collection. Besides trapping, beetle collection from harboring trees can also be done. Collection of beetles during the early weeks of beetle emergence will reduce beetles that will subsequently breed and produce the succeeding generation of grubs. June beetles are inactive at daytime and even the slightest shaking could easily dislodge them from the trees. Large nets or sacks placed under host

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

In Sugarcane

trees before shaking the branches facilitates collection of the beetles falling on ground vegetation. Collected beetles are killed by keeping them in tightly sealed bags or containers, as described in the monitoring guide.

Biological control

Conservation

of natural parasites and predators.

.
"

Cane grubs, like other insect pests, have natural enemies such as parasites, predators and microbial pathogens that reduce their population in the field. Grubs are preyed upon by a variety of general predators associated with sugar cane like ants, earwigs, predaceous beetles (Fig. 11) and vertebrates such as bats, fowls and birds. Parasitic wasps that prey upon grubs in several sugar cane regions should be conserved by protecting their natural habitat or augmented to reduce grub populations in areas where the pest is widespread. In Negros Occidental, for instance, ten species of scoliid wasps were reported attacking grub species on the island (Lopez, 1932). In the early 1930s, Campsomeris (Campsomeriella)collarisquadrifasciata (formerly Campsomeris aureicollisLepeletier) was imported by Queensland, Australia for grub control and consequently, two Australian scoliid parasitoids were imported from Queensland into Negros that same year. Last March, 2001 two of these parasite species namely, Campsomeris (Campsomeriella) collaris quadrifasciata (Fabricius) and Campsomeris sp. near reticulata were both recovered from a sugarcane field attacking L. irrorata in Valencia, Ormoc City (Fig. 12). About 20% of the collected grubs (n = 35) were parasitized (Quimio, unpublished data).

Use of fungal species to reduce grub population. Fungi pathogenic to grubs are relatively easy to massproduce, with no reported adverse effects to plants and animals, or development of resistance and are also potentially sustainable. Commercial formulations are available abroad but some of our local strains are also pathogenic to the grubs (Braza, 1990; Santiago, 1999). Two species of fungi, Metarhizium anisopliaeand Beauveria bassiana, were identified to be pathogenic to L. irrorata grubs (Braza, 1990; Santiago, 1999). In a laboratory experiment (Braza, 1990), a strain of M. anisopliae isolated from L. irrorata caused 73% grub mortality rate. The fungus, however, has a slower effect compared to insecticides with peak mortalities occurring three weeks after fungus infection (Braza, 1990; Rombach et aL, 1986). Several strains of the two fungi were tested at NCPC against the larvae of L. irrorata and the strain very pathogenic to the grub was identified. In a laboratory test (Santiago, 1999), B. bassianacaused higher grub mortality compared to grubs treated with M. anisopliae. Beauveriabassiana,the white muscardine fungus, so-called because of its characteristic white to pale yellow growth either on agar media or insect cad,avers, is pathogenic to many agricultural pests including the grub species L. irrorata. Mode of action. The fungus infects the grub by penetrating into the body wall and producing toxins inside the body cavity. After a few days, the grub becomes fully covered with the fungus. The propagules from the infected dead host are usually spread by rain or water and initiate new cycles of infection to other grubs. The fungus is safe to animals including humans and non-infective to beneficial organisms like wasps, bees and earthworms.

--

Management

and Monltorln!!

of White

Grubs

In Sugarcane

Mass production. The pure culture of B. bassiana is suspended in 0.01 % Triton X-I00 and inoculated into tubes containing 10 grams sterile boiled cracked com. When spore formation is complete, the spores are suspended in 0.01 'Yo Triton X-I00 and transferred to one kilo of sterile cracked com contained in auto-claveable plastic bag. After a week of incubation, the bag is opened and the medium is air-dried for one week. The spores are then sieved, placed in tin cans and kept frozen until ready for use. Application rate. The rate of application must be 100 grams of spore powder per hectare, approximately equivalent to 1 x 1013spores per he~tare. The spore powder is suspended in water with 0.01 % powder detergent as wetting agent. The spore mixture should then be applied by furrow drenching during hilling-up operation.

CD

Chemical control.

Monitoring beetle eggs and grubs must be done before any insecticide treatment is applied. The monitoring guide presented should be a good help for this purpose. Success in the chemical control of white grubs is very variable and sometimes unstable. Timing of application, efficacy and proper delivery of the insecticide to the target grub species are some of the factors affecting effectiveness. Generally, the first and second instars are more susceptible than the third instar grubs because older grubs have tougher integument and are located at the lower sub-soil. To effectively control white grubs on sugarcane, following pointers are recommended: the

1. When planting in June, app Iy any of the recommend ed

Table 1. carbofuran,

Recommended insecticides for cane grubs include

cadusafos, chlorpyrifos and fipronil. AmountProduct Per Hectare 66.7 kg. 10 kg. 21i. 20-30 kg. Recommended Trade Name Furadan3GTM Apache 10GTM Rate (kga.r/ha.) 2 1 0.8 0.06 - 0.09

CommonName Camofuran Cadusafos Chlorpyrifos Fipronil

*

Lorsban 40TM *
Regent0.3GRTM **

Appliedas soil drenchat the furrow during plantingby mixingwith 100-200liters of water. "Conditional approvalgivenby Fertilizerand PesticideAuthority

insecticide (Table 1) evenly along the furrows recommended rates before planti1:lg canes,

at

2. When planting is done earlier, application of insecticide should also be done in June. Before applying granules, a furrow should be made first along the rows of cane plants with active infestation of grubs. Then, cover the chemicals with soil. Applying insecticides is recommended in June to coincide with the susceptible stage of the pest and to have an effective and efficient control of grubs.

Integrated Pest Management No quick solution can rid sugarcane growers of the white grub problem once it becomes established in an area. Application of insecticides, including the more selective biological insecticides, help alleviate symptoms of pest outbreaks but only as a short-term solution to the problem. Current development in crop protection suggests the integration of control approaches that are economical and

Management

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

In Sugarcane

practical to achieve a more or less sustainable control of the pest. An integrated management approach based on field experiences and outputs from research provides options that combine biological, physical, cultural, and chemical strategies. Farming systems that increase organic matter on the soil surface like stubble retention, application of organic fertilizers or soil ameliorants will encourage decomposers and ultimately increase the numbers of general predators (Robertson et aI., 1997). Allo';Vingan increase in general predators and parasitoids may result in less need for insecticide application. Augmentation and conservation of natural parasites and predators like scoliid wasps, earwigs, predatory beetles will work harmoniously with cultural farm management and other bio-control tactics. The use of resistant host plants and fostering natural enemies by utilizing appropriate cultural practices may be viewed as long-term pest control or as a preventive strategy. Beetle collection conducted before the breeding season reduces the number of .adults that will lay eggs for the next season, an approach that could be combined with any of the strategies aimed to reduce succeeding grub infestation. Collection and. destruction of beetles were tested and advocated even in the past and community campaigns were proven effective in reducing grub damage in sugarcane districts before WorId War 11,particularly Batangas and Negros Occidental (Otanes, 1950). This practice was revived in 1992 at the Don Pedro mill district and its impact, in combination with insecticides, was evaluated by NCPC through the initiative of PHILSURIN. Beetle collection had the highest cost-benefit ratio as compared with insecticide treatments (Quimio et aI., 1999). Community-wide campaign on beetle collection, for about three weeks starting from onset

of beetle emergence, if imp lemented and sustained will lessen the impact of grub infestation in problem areas. Farm management systems could be integrated with the pest management system as a novel approach to the grub probl~m. In such systems approach, it is unlikely that a single method of control is to be sustainable but an integration of multiple control measures. While not excluding insecticides as a control option, a number of different control measures are potentially feasible options that could be considered while trying to integrate those that are currently available (Dent, 1997).

Management

and Monitoring

of White

GrUbs In Sugarcane

REFERENCES

Apostot R. F. and Litsinger J. A. 1976. White grub control in an upland rice-corn cropping pattern. International Rice Research Newsletter 1(1):23. Baltazar, C. R. 1966. A catalogue of Philippine Hymenoptera (with a bibliography, 1758-1963). Pacific Insects Monograph 8. B.P.Bishop Museum, Hawaii pp. 219229.

Braza, R. D. 1990. Laboratory evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin against Leucopholis irrorata (Chev.)(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). The Philippine Entomologist 8(1):-671-675. Braza, R. D. 1991. Beetles attacking Acacia mangium in the Philippines. Nitrogen Fixing Tree Research Reports 9:4041. Dent, D.R. 1997. Overview of issues. In: Soil Invertebrates in 1997, (P.c. Allsopp, D. J. Rogers, L. N. Robertson, eds.). Proc. 3rd Brisbane Workshop on Soil Invertebrates. BSES, Brisbane. Cabriet B. P. 1997. Insects and Mites Injurious to Philippine Crop Plants. NCPc, UPLB, College, Laguna. pp.20-21.

Jongeleen, F.J.J. and Mahrub E. 1979. The biology of two species of noxious Scarabaeidae from Indonesia. Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie 87(3):247-254.
Jongeleen, F.J.J.,Soesanto and Moekidjo A. 1979. Studies on pathogens of two species of Scarabaeidae from Indonesia. Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Entomologie 87(4):412-417.

Litsinger J. A, Apostol R F., Obusan M.B. 1983. White grub, Leucoplwlis irroratl1 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): pest status, population dynamics, and chemical control in a ricemaize cropping pattern in the Philippines. Journal of Economic Entomology 76(5):1133-1138. Lopez, AW. 1932. Annual Report, 1930-1931. Philippine Sugar Association (Entomology Department), (October, 1931).
Lopez, M.E. and Pegenia, M.R 1964. The white grub infestation in the Don Pedro mill district. Proceed ings, Philippine Sugar Technologists 12: 72-77. Merrill, E.D. and Banks, c.S. 1910. Handbook on the Sugar Industry in the Philippines, Bureau of Printing, Manila. 139p.

Otanes, F.Q. 1950. The most important pests of sugarcane and suggestions for their control. Sugar News 26(9):453457.
Quimio, G.M., Ceballo, F.A, and Velasco, loR I. 1999. Integrated Management of White Grubs in Sugarcane. Progress Report (1999). PHILSURIN Proj. 3a. Quimio, G. M. and Ceballo, F.A. 1999. Monitoring protocol for beetles and white grubs in sugarcane. In: Sugarcane Pest Monitoring, a field guide by E.A Benigno. NCPC-PHILSURIN publication, pp. 21-28.

Rombach, M. c., Aguda, RM. and Roberts, D.W. 1986. Biological control of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Homoptera: Delphacidae) with dry mycelium applications of Metarhizium anisopliae (Deuteromycotina: Hypomycetes). The Philippine Entomologist 6(6): 613-619.

tylanagement

and Monitoring

of White

Grubs

In Sugarc;ane

Santiago, D. R. 1999. Fungal bio-pesticides for management of white grubs in sugarcane. Progress Report (1999). PHILSURIN Project 3b. Saplala, V.L. 1957. White grubs of sugarcane and recommendations for its control. Proc. 7th Annual Convention Phil. Sugar Tech. (1957), pp.134-138. Tianco, A. P. and de Ocampo, N. A. 1992. Effect of Miral (isazofos) on white grub control and sugarcane yield. Proc. Phil. Sugar Tech. 39:197-202. Uichanco, L.B. 1930. A report on an entomological survey of Negros sugarcane fields. Sugar News 11:243-254. Uichanco, L.B.1931. Notes on the life history and habits of the white grub of sugarcane, Leucopholis irrorata Chevr. Sugar News 12: 592-594.

DISCLAIMER

Mention of any product or any referral to such product does not imply an endorsement of any sort by tIle authors and/ or the offices involved.

Acronyms

BISCOM - Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company BUSCO - Bukidnon. Sugar Company CADP - Central Azucarera de Don Pedro CARSUMCO HPCo NCPC

- Cagayan
Crop

Robina Sugar Milling Company

- Hawaiian - National

Philippine Company
Protection Center

PHILSURIN - Philippine Sugar Research Institute SONEDCO - Southern Negros Development Corporation

UPLB-MNH - U.P. Los Banos Museum of Natural History VMC - Victorias Milling Company

II

PHILIPPINE SUGAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION, INC. Room 1405, 14th Floor, Security Bank Center 6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226, Philippines Tel. (632) 891-13980891-14100891-1411 0891-1412 Fax No. (632) 891-1414