The lesser cornstalk borer (LCB), Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), is a stem boring pest of sugarcane in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of Florida. Larvae bore into sugarcane plants below the soil surface and feed within the stalk, which can cause deadhearts in immature plants. From 2015-2022, University of Florida IFAS Extension personnel conducted yearly surveys of LCB populations in sugarcane located on both muck and sandy soils. Surveying was conducted by placing pheromone traps (delta traps containing lure with artificial sex pheromone) adjacent to sugarcane fields between the 1st and 7th leaf stage. LCB adults were counted weekly from October through May. Weather conditions at were recorded using Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) stations. Across all years, LCB traps catches were significantly greater in fields with sandy soils. During heavy rain events, LCB populations dropped substantially in muck soils due to the poor drainage in this soil type.
