FACTSHEETS FOR FARMERS
www.plantwise.orgCreated in Tanzania, October 2014
Control of stalk borer by cutting maize stalks
Recognize the problem
Stalk borers are pest insects and can cause maize yield losses of up to 30%.
They are 0.5 to 2 cm long white-yellowish caterpillars that first feed on maize
tips, and later in the maize cob and maize stalk. The damaged plant appears
stunted with broken tips and slightly yellowed upper leaves. The plant cannot
produce yield as the upper broken part dries.
Background
Stalk borer adults are moths that do not cause any damage. They lay eggs on
the tips of maize plants about 40 days after the crop is planted. The eggs then
hatch into larvae which tunnel from the tip of plant through the stalk/stem. The
larva changes into a pupa (inside a cocoon) and later emerges as a new moth.
The larvae live in the stalk, feed on its content and then wait in the stalk until
the next cropping season. Stalk management techniques help to control the
stalk borer larvae and pupae so that there is minimal population build-up for
the next cropping season. The technology is feasible, cost effective and
protects the environment, while reducing the use of pesticides to control stalk
borers.
Management
After harvesting the crop, a massive cutting down of stalks should be carried
out in the whole village or farms:
• Cut down the stalks at the ground by hand hoe, chop them with a knife
or break them, and spread them in the field
• The heat from the sun and soil surface kills the larvae and pupae in the
stalks
• Some larvae are eaten by ants and birds
• The stalks could also be grazed by livestock, but make sure that no
stalks remain standing in the field
• Cutting the stalks kills up to 95% of the dormant larvae and pupae per
season
If only a few farmers are practising this technology, then it may not be
effective because the larvae from standing maize stalks in neighbouring farms
could pupate, become adults and infest the crops of other farmers who did
practise stalk cutting.
Scientific name(s) > Busseola fusca
The recommendations in this factsheet are relevant to: Kenya, Tanzania
Authors: Lazaro Kitandu
Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives MAFSC
tel: +255 754 673154 email: lazkitandu@hotmail.com
Edited by Plantwise
Plantwise is a global initiative led by CABI
TZ076En
Lose Less, Feed More
Broken maize tip due to stalk borer
infestation. (Photo by S. Toepfer)
Cut and chopped maize stalks laid
on ground surface. (Photo by L.W
Kitandu)
