INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF CANEGRUBS IN AUSTRALIA - CURRENT SITUATION AND FUTURE-RESEARCH DIRECTIONS

Nineteen species of scarab larvae, collectively known as canegrubs, at tack the root system of sugarcane in Australia. Thousands of hectares of sugarcane were damaged before the introduction of organochlorine in secticides in 1948. A controlled-release formulation of chlorpyrifos ( suSCon Blue) and a non-residual formulation of ethoprophos (Mocap) rep laced the organochlorines in the 1980s. Recent failures of both these products in some fields have intensified the search for alternative co ntrols. This review covers the current knowledge of canegnub biology, ecology and control in Australia. An outline of research required to d evelop sustainable pest management for canegrubs is given. Knowledge o f the population dynamics of canegrubs will be integrated with cultura l, chemical and biological controls as appropriate for each pest in ea ch region. A decision-support system will help pest managers to make a ppropriate choices.