Mauritius and Reunion (which were probably introduced from Java in the mid 1800s
(Bleszynski, 1970; Williams, 1983)). Hence, further genetic studies are required to
clarify the status of the C. sacchariphagus complex.
Similarly, while our survey suggests that C. auricilius is a less abundant stalk
borer compared to C. sacchariphagus in Java, it was recognised by Indonesian
scientists to have been more widespread than C. sacchariphagus in Java in the early
1990s and its status seems to have changed in recent years (Joko Pramono, personal
communication). In addition, C. auricilius is considered to be one of the most
damaging sugarcane pests in northern India and it is also recorded to feed on rice and
considered to be one of its key pests in Bangladesh and parts of India and China
(Husain and Begum, 1985; Meng et al., 1997; Neupane, 1990). Yet C. auricilius is
not recorded as a significant pest of rice in Java, and has always been known to
mainly feed on sugarcane until Hattori and Siwi (1986) reported it feeding on rice in
Java and South Kalimantan. Again, DNA phylogenetic studies are needed to assist in
the understanding of each of these pest species and, ultimately, ensure the
establishment of pest management strategies that are accurate and pest specific.