Pest Control

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Several pests affect sugarcane but, fortunately, there are only a few major pests that cause serious economic harm. Insect pests are usually grouped into four broad categories, namely Leaf Eaters, Leaf Suckers, Stem Borers and Soil Pests. The Stalk Borer, Eldana, is the industry’s most serious pest, resulting in a total loss (direct and indirect) of over R 1 billion per season, if uncontrolled.

SASRI advocates an Integrated Pest management (IPM) approach to suppressing insect pest levels. IPM involves integration of several pest control techniques to discourage the development of pest populations and to keep pesticide usage at levels that are economically justified and environmentally responsible.

Dr Lawrence Malinga

Programme Manager: Crop Protection; Senior Research Entomologist

INFORMATION SHEETS

Books

Thrips and YSA Control Manual

This manual serves as a valuable resource for growers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools necessary for the identification of Thrips and YSA. Moreover, it offers a wealth of practical guidance on control measures for these pests, including the optimisation of natural habitats, the reduction of plant stress through the management of soil physical and biological health, the selection of suitable crop varieties, and the implementation of sound field hygiene practices.
The manual highlights the importance of adjusting planting dates to minimise the risk of infestations and emphasises the critical role of proper nutrition management.
Growers are strongly encouraged to regularly scout their fields for the presence of these pests and are provided with expert advice on the judicious use of registered insecticides for the control of Thrips and YSA.

View Manual

Controlling eldana in the South African sugar industry

The manual covers the following best management practices for eldana control:

Manage the natural habitat of eldana
Choose appropriate varieties
Use only clean, healthy seedcane
Reduce plant stress
Ensure adequate silicon uptake
Manage nitrogen applications
Select carry-over fields carefully
Defoliate carry-over fields
Conduct regular surveys
Use of insecticide in carry-over fields
Chemical cane quality management
Practise stringent field hygiene
Abide by local pest, disease and variety control committee regulations and guidelines

View Manual

IPM for eldana control

This book represents far more than a collection of best management practices for eldana control. Rather, it has been written for those who wish to get a deeper insight into the mechanisms that govern the interactions between eldana, the sugarcane crop and the various practices recommended for control of this pest. For this purpose, it has been necessary to include a high level of technical detail, and to draw on several other SASRI publications to describe the complex interactions at play.

View Manual

Sugarcane pests in Southern Africa

Described in this bulletin are insect pests that most frequently damage sugarcane in southern Africa. Pests have been categorised by the type of damage they cause and are considered in order of their importance in the industry. Guidelines are Included for control of these pests. However, confirmation of pest identity and control options from SASRI specialists are advisable before taking action. Symptoms of damage can be similar for different pests and expensive control options may be implemented where not necessary.

View Manual

ILLUSTRATIVE GUIDES

Biosecurity team file on pests
View

Chilo Biosecurity Alert
English | Afrikaans | isiZulu | SiSwati | Portuguese

Longhorn Beetle damage symptoms
English | Afrikaans | isiZulu

Longhorn Beetle Biosecurity Alert
English | Afrikaans | isiZulu

Pests
English | isiZulu

Recommendations for eldana control
View

Videos

Damage caused by eldana (isiZulu)

Role of Pest and Disease Committees (isiZulu)

Services

Biosecurity

SASRI’s Biosecurity staff work together with Local Pest, Disease and Variety Control Committees to prevent or minimise loss and damage caused by pests and diseases.

Extension and Biosecurity Service

SASRI Extension Specialists located throughout the South African sugar industry are available to offer advice and support on crop nutrition and all other aspects of sugarcane farming.

Special Advisory Requests

Service to investigate new products on behalf of commercial companies to facilitate registration. Investigations can include testing of herbicides, fungicides, ripeners, fertilisers and pesticides.

RESEARCH

Research on pest control develops integrated management strategies that minimise the effects of pests on crop production in a sustainable manner. Visit CROP PROTECTION for more info.

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Dr Lawrence Malinga

Programme Manager: Crop Protection
Senior Research Entomologist

Tel: 031 508 7400 (Switchboard)
Tel: 031 508 7485 (Direct)
Email: lawrence.malinga@sugar.org.za

Role & Overall Purpose
To initiate and conduct research, technology development and knowledge exchange projects to ultimately enable the integrated pest management (IPM) of current and emerging pests of sugarcane by small- and large-scale growers.
Expertise
Biological Control, Entomology, Nematology, Organic Control, Technology Transfer, Project Management.
Research Focus
Eldana F1 Sterile Insect Technique: Assessment of X-ray irradiation as an alternative to gamma irradiation

Sterile Insect Technique F1 Eldana saccharina management: Cage and field release proof-of-concept studies

Comparison of diversity and abundance of non-target organisms on Bt and non-Bt sugarcane

Effect of genetically modified sugarcane in combination with sterile insect releases to control Eldana saccharina: a cage trial

Development of an IRAC laboratory-based Eldana saccharina resistance monitoring protocol

Technology Development for Small-scale Growers: Pest, Disease, Weed and Variety Management

Key Publications
Journal Publications
  • Karabo, B. and Malinga, L.N., 2025. Research Advancements on the Application of Sterile Insect Technique for the Control of Lepidopteran Pests Over the Past Two Decades: A Systematic Review. bioRxiv, 2025-01.DOI: 10.1101/2025.01.17.633492
  • Mawcha, K.T., Malinga, L., Muir, D., Ge, J. and Ndolo, D., 2024. Recent Advances in Biopesticide Research and Development with a Focus on Microbials. F1000Research, 13, 1071. DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.154392.5
  • Malinga L.N. and Laing, M.D. 2024. A Review of Pesticides for the Control of Some Cotton Pests. Annals of Agricultural & Crop Sciences, 9(1): 1148. DOI: 10.26420/annagriccropsci.2024.1148
  • Malinga L. 2024. A Novel Approach to the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for Eldana saccharina Management in South Africa. Sugar Tech, 26: 629–634. DOI: 10.1007/s12355-024-01378-0
  • Malinga L. and Laing, M.D. 2024. Lifecycle, Hosts and Importance of Some of the Major Cotton Insect Pests in South Africa: A Review. Asian Journal of Biological Sciences, 17(4): 624-639. DOI: 10.3923/ajbs.2024.624.639
  • Malinga, L. and Laing, M. 2023. Farmers' Production Practices, Incidence and Management of Pests and Diseases, Extension Services, and Factors Limiting Cotton Production and Quality in South Africa. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension, 51(3): 79–99. DOI: 10.17159/2413-3221/2023/v51n3a14462
  • Malinga L, Laing M. 2023. Cost Analysis of Biopesticides and Chemical Insecticides: Implications for Cotton Farmers in South Africa. Entomology and Applied Science Letters, 10(4): 44-55. DOI: 10.51847/YA2wqC4r3i
  • Malinga, L.N. and Laing, M. D., 2022. Role of Microbial Biopesticides as an Alternative to Insecticides in Integrated Pest Management of Cotton Pests. In: D. R. Eduardo (ed.), Insecticides - Impact and Benefits of Its Use for Humanity, IntechOpen, London. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.100400.
  • Malinga, L.N. and Laing MD. 2022. Efficacy of Biopesticides in the Management of the Cotton Bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae), under Field Conditions. Insects, 13 (8): 673. DOI: 10.3390/insects13080673
  • Malinga, L.N. and Laing, M.D., 2021. Efficacy of Three Biopesticides Against Cotton Pests under Field Conditions in South Africa. Crop Protection, 145: 105578. DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2021.105578
  • Malinga, L. 2021. The Importance and Economic Status of Cotton Production. Academia Letters, 2317: 1-8. DOI: 10.20935/AL2317
  • Malinga L. 2019. Southern and Eastern African Cotton Forum: Platform for the Advancement of Cotton Production in Africa. South African Journal of Science, 115 (9/10): 6-8. DOI: 10.17159/sajs.2019/6358
  • Malinga, L.N. 2017. Evaluation of Plant Extracts for the Control of Helicoverpa armigera, Diparopsis castanea, and Earias insulana in Cotton for Small-Scale Farmers. Cotton Research Journal, 8 (1): 12-19.
 
Popular Publications
  • Malinga, L. and Smith, R. 2025. What insects are there in my field? The Link, 34 (2).
  • Mofurutsi, T., Mchunu, L., Buthelezi, K., Jithoo S. and Malinga, L.2024. Sustainable sugarcane farming: Empowering small-scale growers. The Link, 33 (5).
  • Malinga L. 2024.Sterile insect technique application against sugarcane stalk borer Eldana saccharina. ISSCT Bulletin, 7. October 2024. https://issct.org/2024/10/22/issct-bulletin-october-2024/
  • Malinga L. 2024. Second Research Coordination Meeting of the Food And Agriculture Organization of The United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Coordinated Research Project - Vienna, Austria. Rostrum, 2024 (113), 13-15.
  • Malinga, L. and Rutherford, S., 2022. F1 – Fast-tracking the sterile insect technique for eldana control. The Link, 31 (1): 12-13.
  • Van der Westhuizen, M. and Malinga, L. 2021. Cotton: (Gossypium hirsitum L.) (American Upland cotton) Breeding desktop study – A short review. Cotton South Africa. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cottonsa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/7.-Breeding-desk-top-study.pdf
  • Malinga L. 2019. Overview and outlook for South Africa's cotton sector. Cotton: Review of the world situation, 73 (2): 5-8.
  • Kranthi, K. R., Malinga, L. and Mubvekeri, W. 2018. Perspectives on cotton research and ideas for Africa- Proceedings & recommendations of the XIV Meeting of the Southern & Eastern Africa Cotton Forum (SEACF). The ICAC Recorder, 36 (3): 4-13.
 
Conference Proceedings
  • Smith, R.; Malinga, L.N.; Bouwer, G. 2025. Arthropod diversity and abundance under irrigated and rainfed conditions in South Africa sugarcane, in Proceedings of the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Entomology, 19–21 May 2025, MDPI: Basel, Switzerland.
  • Malinga, L. N. 2025. Application of sterile insect technique for the management of Eldana saccharina in South Africa: Two decades of research. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Applications of Radiation Science and Technology (ICARST-2025), Vienna, Austria.
  • Malinga, L. N. 2025. Impact of sterile insect technique (SIT) against Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugarcane. Proceedings of the Combined Congress, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, January 2025.
  • Mathonsi, S., Malinga, L. and Bambo, K. 2024. Selection of oviposition substrate by the sugarcane stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) females for sterile insect technique. Proceedings of the ISSCT XIII Pathology and XI Entomology Joint Workshop, Salta, Argentina.
  • Lauchande, V., Malinga, L. and Munyai C. 2024. Effect of genetically modified sugarcane in combination with sterile insect releases to control Eldana saccharina: a shade house trial. UKZN Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium Proceedings.
  • Msele, K., Malinga, L. and Munyai C. 2024. Baseline susceptibility of laboratory-reared Eldana saccharina larvae to Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins and the Coragen insecticides. UKZN Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium Proceedings.
  • S Singh, L Malinga, C Weldon, D Conlong. 2024. Dose mapping of an X-ray irradiator with application to the sterile insect technique for the control of Eldana saccharina in sugarcane. Proceedings of The South African Sugar Technologists' Association, 96: 139.
  • S Singh, L Malinga, C Weldon, D Conlong. 2024. Effect of X-ray irradiation on the sterility of Eldana saccharina for the sterile insect technique in sugarcane. XXVII International Congress of Entomology Proceedings.
  • Johnson J, du Toit G, Asia H, Conlong D, Malinga L. 2024. Sterility and flight ability of Ceratitis capitata using X-ray irradiation as an alternative to gamma irradiation for the sterile insect technique. XXVII International Congress of Entomology Proceedings.
  • Beukes PR, Conlong D, Singh S, Malinga L, Munhenga G, Mulcahy M, Johnson J, Hlatshwayo N, Lieberman J. 2024. The importance of dosimetry in optimizing radiation doses received by insects for sterile insect technique. XXVII International Congress of Entomology Proceedings.
  • Malinga, L.N. 2023. A novel approach to the sterile insect technique (SIT) for the management of Eldana saccharina in South Africa. Proceedings of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists, India, 31: 686–691.
  • Singh S., Malinga L., Weldon C. and Conlong D. 2023. Dose mapping of an X-ray irradiator with application to sterile insect technique (SIT) for the control of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sugarcane. Proceedings of the 2023 ESSA Congress, July 2023.
  • Smith, R., Malinga, L. and Bouwer, G. 2023. Abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods under rain-fed and irrigated sugarcane in South Africa. Proceedings of the South African Sugar Technologists' Association, 95: 187.
  • Malinga, L. and Laing, M. 2023. Efficacy of microbial biopesticides on the control of cotton pests in South Africa. Proceedings of ICGEB 'Trends in Microbial Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture' Workshop in Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
  • Lauchande, V., Malinga, L. and Munyai C. 2023. Effect of genetically modified sugarcane in combination with sterile insect releases to control Eldana saccharina: a Cage Trial. UKZN Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium Proceedings.
  • Malinga, L.N. and Laing, M. 2023. Farmers' production practices, incidence and management of pests and diseases, extension services, and factors limiting cotton production and quality in South Africa. Proceedings of the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Agriculture, 1–15 November 2023, MDPI: Basel, Switzerland.
  • Malinga, L. 2016. Efficacy of organic nematicides on Meloidogyne javanica for small-scale cotton farmers in South Africa. Proceedings: World Cotton Research Conference – 6 and 2016 Biennial Conference of the ICGI, Goiânia, Brazil.
  • Malinga, L. 2015. Efficacy of biopesticides for pest control in cotton. Proceedings: 19th Congress of the Entomological Society of South Africa, Rhodes University: Grahamstown, South Africa.
  • Thompson G., and Malinga, L. 2014. The role of scientific research in making cotton a sustainable and profitable business in Africa. Proceedings: XII Meeting of the Southern and Eastern African Cotton Forum: Maputo, Mozambique
  • Malinga, L. 2011. Quantitative assessment of insect pests and predatory arthropods on intercropped organic cotton in South Africa. Proceedings: 17th Congress of the Entomological Society of South Africa, University of Free State: Bloemfontein, South Africa.
  • Malinga, L. 2010. South African cotton production and research report integrated pest management in cotton. Proceedings: 9th & 10th Meetings of the Southern and Eastern African Cotton Forum and the IPM Workshop, Lusaka, Zambia.
  • Malinga, L. and E. Eulitz. 2008. Organic insecticides and nematicides for small-scale cotton farmers. 23rd International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa.
  • Malinga, L. 2007. Efficacy of natural substances for pest control in organic cotton by small-scale farmers. Proceedings: 16th Congress of the Entomological Society of South Africa, Stellenbosch University: Stellenbosch, South Africa.
  • Malinga, L. 2005. Constraints of cotton pest control in small-scale farming systems. Cotton Workshop, ARC-IIC: Rustenburg, South Africa.
  • Malinga, L. 2005. Cotton pests and their lifecycle. Cotton Extension Workshop, ARC-IIC: Rustenburg, South Africa.
Qualifications
  • BSc in Zoology and Entomology, University of Fort Hare
  • BSc (Hons) in Entomology, University of Fort Hare
  • MSc in Entomology, University of Fort Hare
  • PhD in Entomology, University of KwaZulu-Natal