Damage Symptoms
• The mealy bugs derive their name from the whitish, powdery filamentous mealy coating on their body.  
• They are found under sheathing leaves in colonies and suck up the juice.
• Severe infestation results in stunting of canes and yellowing of leaves.
Management
• Planting uninfected setts with leaf sheaths removed reduces perpetuation of mealyhugs to new areas as well as new plantings.
• Detrashing is essential to expose the colonies to abiotic (high temperature and sunlight) and biotic (natural enemies) stresses.
• Avoidance of overdose of nitrogen.
• Avoiding ratoons in prone areas, ratoons can act as the inoculums for the next season.
• Management of water stress and general health of the crop is important to reduce mealy bug incidence.
• In cases of severe infestation, spray Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL@ 500ml/ha with 1000 lit of water after detrashing of cane.