author(s)
Thomas Latha and Karen Bautista

abstract
A preliminary investigation was done on the insect pests of sugarcane (Saccharum sp) in the northern sugar belt region of Belize. Three sites each were identified in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts of Belize which comprised the northern sugar belt region. The study sites were Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute’s demonstration plots. Insects were collected by hand picking; sticky traps and bottle traps with bait from each of the study sites. Two such collections were made in the month of January, 2018. Froghopper (Aneolamia varia), and sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis) were collected from all the sites and was found to cause the most damage to sugarcane crops in the northern sugar belt region. Sugarcane Mealy bug (Saccharicoccus sacchari), Weevils (Apinocis subnudus and Sphenophorus incurrens), Nitudilid beetles and sugarcane lace bug (Leptodictya tabida) were also identified. The biology and ecology of these insect pests including control methods for the major pests are reviewed in this paper. Further detailed study over an extended period of time is recommended on the pests of sugarcane and the damage caused by them to the sugar industry of Belize to get a more accurate picture and to plan effective control measures for the same.