Sorghum requires about 26-30oC temperature for good growth. The minimum temperature for the germination of the sorghum seed is 7 to 10oC. Grain sorghum does not germinate and grow well under cool soil conditions. Poor emergence and seedling growth may result if planted before soil temperatures reach 35oC.

Aphid in Sorghum

The sugarcane aphid is yellow to buff.

Red-headed Hairy Caterpillar in Sorghum

The adult moth has white fore wings bearing brownish markings and streaks, and the white hind wings have black spots. There is a yellow band on the head and a yellow steak along the anterior margin of the fore wings. Moth emergence occurs in waves following rains.

Red Flour Beetle in Sorghum

The adult is about 3-4 mm long, rather flat, oblong, and chestnut brown.

Spotted Stem Borer in Sorghum

The moth is medium sized and straw colored.

Rice Moth in Sorghum

The adult moth is a pale grayish brown and the head bears a projecting tuft of scales.

Hairy Caterpillar in Sorghum

The adult moths have brown forewings with dark scales. The hind wings are yellow. Spherical transparent white eggs are laid in masses (6 to 24 eggs in each) and covered by orange-yellow hairs.

Pink Borer in Sorghum

The adult moth is fawn colored, with dark brown streaks on the fore wings and white hind wings

Angoumois Grain Moth in sorghum

The female moth  can lay up to 400 eggs.

Earhead Webworms

The adult of one species of webworm is a small (1.25 cm) white moth which lays eggs at night on hosts such as sorghum.