Biological control of sugar cane insect pests in Mauritius
| MSI09P4333 | |
| Beehary Panray, N. | |
| Biological control of sugar cane insect pests in Mauritius | |
| Mauritius Institute of Education and Society of Biology Teachers, Symposium: Biology Education: Challenges and opportunities, 23-24 July 2008, Mauritius Institute of Education, Réduit: Abstracts | |
| book chapter | |
| 2008 | |
| p. 26-27 | |
| Réduit: Mauritius Institute of Education | |
| Abstract only | |
| En | |
| En | |
| In Mauritius, some 45 insect species are recorded on sugar cane and control of the major insect pests relies essentially on biological control and cultural practices with insecticides being applied only in exceptional circumstances. Mauritius has, in fact, a long history of biological control programme with most of the natural enemies of sugar cane pests having been purposely introduced. Strict quarantine measures are also now implemented due to the constant threat of the possible introduction of exotic pests in the island. With the globalization of the world economy, Mauritius will no longer benefit from preferential markets for its sugar. Therefore, there is a need to reduce costs of production and increase productivity per unit area through major changes such as mechanization, removal of rock heaps from fields, improved irrigation systems and weed control. These field operations will definitely impact on the status of insect pests and their associated natural enemies. This means that sound pest management strategies will need to be developed so as not to disturb the well-established biological control of sugar cane pests. In that context, this paper will present new areas of research being investigated at the MSIRI. They include the implementation of a regional programme, funded by the European Union, on microbial control of insect pests, varietal reaction to major pests and means of enhancing predation and parasitism of existing pests. Particular attention is focused on an integrated approach to pest management thus contributing to the national drive towards sustainability and protection of the environment. | |
| sugarcane biological control pest control pests insect pests | |
| Mauritius | |
| Sugarcane: Pests, pest control and management | |
| Insect pests | |
| 2009-01-13 | |
| En | |
| ENTO | |
| CAT | |
| ENTO |