Induction and Termination of Diapause in the Sugarcane Borer1,2

Abstract
Populations of the sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas were found to enter facultative diapause as last-stage larvae. The peak incidence of diapause in sugarcane fields occurs in Nov. or Dec. Both induction and termination of diapause are dependent upon photoperiod and temperature. A high incidence of diapause is induced when the insects experience both low temperatures and short photophase. The critical day-length for diapause induction at 21°C is between 12 and 13 h of light. Diapause termination is accelerated by increasing both temperature and photoperiods.