Nature of damage:
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Larvae enter the plant laterally by one or more holes in the stalk and bore downwards as well as upwards killing the growing points, thereby cutting off the central leaf spindle which dries up forming a dead heart that can be pulled out easily.
The cut off portion inside the bored plants rots and the dead heart emits an offensive odour on being pulled out. Infestation of internodes of mature canes make them hard, devoid of juice and difficult to mill.
Purity of juice and quality of jaggery are also affected.

Management:
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Collection and Destruction of egg masses. Removal of infested plants alongwith larvae.
Soil application of Carbofuran 3 % G @ 1.00 kg a.i./Ha two times i.e. at the time of sowing or one month after sowing ( at the time of earthing up) or soil application of Phortae 10% G @ 1.00 kg a.i./ha three times i.e. 30,90 and 150 DAP Or Spraying the crop with carbaryl 50 % WP 0.20% five times i.e. at 60, 80,100,120 and 140 DAP.
Field release of trichocard (Trichogramma japonicum) two per hectare.