Ganeshan, S. 2000 Biological control of sugarcane pests in Mauritius: current status and future prospects.. Sugarcane Pest Management in the New Millennium. 4th Sugarcane Entomology Workshop International Society of Sugar Cane. International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Indooroopilly, Australia

Notes: Manipulation of the environment through classical biological control and adoption of cultural measures, such as weed control and cane trashing, have been the main pest management strategies implemented for many years in Mauritius. Several species of parasitoids and predators have been introduced and released against major pests including Aulacaspis tegalensis (Zehntner). A. tegalensis remains a chronic pest causing severe but localised losses in some regions. Outbreaks of occasional pests such as the soft scale Saccharipulvinaria iceryi (Signoret) have been managed by implementation of measures favouring the multiplication of its natural enemies. However, studies on the economic importance of these pests and the presence of several species of parasitoids have revealed that their control by insecticides might not be cost effective and could be detrimental to the parasitoids.