Bunchy top appearance in grown up sugarcane due to formation of side shoots is caused by

A. Early shoot borer (Chilo injuscatellus)

B. Top shoot borer (Scirpophaga nivella)

C. Woolly aphid (Ceratovacuna lanigera)

D. Pyrilla (Pyrilla perpusilla)

Answer: Option B

Solution(By Examveda Team)

Bunchy top appearance in grown-up sugarcane due to the formation of side shoots is caused by Top shoot borer (Scirpophaga nivella).
The top shoot borer is a major pest of sugarcane in sub-tropical India. It completes five generations in a year.
The presence of the reddish mid-rib tunnel on the crown leaf indicates a top-borer infestation. Larva eats away the growing point and as a result of fourth brood attack side shoots develop and give an appearance of a bunchy top.