Stem Borer
Common Name
African maize stalkborer
Scientific Name
Busseola fusca
Issue
Insect larva, arthropod
Causes
Presence of alternate hosts encourages the pest to develop
Prevention
Conserve natural enemies eg. parasitic wasps and predatory ants. Destroy crop residues to kill pupae left in old stems and prevent carry-over populations. Inter-crop maize with crops that are non-hosts for stem-borers( eg. Cassava and grain legumes). I
Control
Use of neem products is effective in control of stalkborers.