From the 1940s until recently, control of key sugarcane pests relied on synthetic
pesticides. However, there is evidence that this cannot continue, because suitable
pesticides will not be available or, on their own, will not provide adequate control. A
number of major pesticides such as BHe, heptachlor, dieldrin and thallium sulfate were
withdrawn during the 1980s to early 1990s. Most sugarcane pests now have no more
than a few synthetic pesticides available for their control; greyback canegrub has only
one, and some important pests such as soldier fly have none. Limitations of pesticides
that have been observed in the sugar industry inelude resurgence of the target pest after pesticide application, development of secondary pests, environmental costs, pesticide resistance, enhanced microbial degradation of pesticides in soil, and excessive reliance on pesticides to the exclusion of other management possibilities. To minimise losses caused by key pests, it will be essential to adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Much is known about many sugarcane pests from past and current research, so strategies for IPM should be developed now. This is already well underway for some pests and in some districts, but not for all. IPM should be developed with grower participation, to ensure that programs address the growers' problems, increase grower support, and enhance adoption.