Distribution of the sugarcane stem borers, Diatraea spp., and their natural enemies in the Cauca River Valley of Colombia

In the Cauca River Valley (CRV) the sugarcane stem borers associated with the crop were Diatraea saccharalis and D. indigenella until 2012 and 2013 when D. tabernella and D. busckella were detected in northern and central CRV respectively. An analysis of the information related to pest damage in the industry is presented and information on Diatraea species distribution and the recovery of natural enemies in the field are discussed. The survey of Diatraea species and their natural enemies was developed, along the CRV, by collecting insects in fields under 3 months of age and using a sampling effort of two man-hours per field. The larvae and natural enemies collected were maintained and observed under laboratory conditions. The level of damage in center and northern CRV are increasing associated with the predominance of D. busckella and D. tabernella in these areas respectively. The most common natural enemies found were Lydella minense and Genea jaynesi, and in less extent Cotesia flavipes (non-existing previously in the region) and Billaea claripalpis.