Lepidopteran stemborers are generally considered to be the most important group of insect pests that attack maize, sorghum and sugarcane in many areas of the world. In eastern and southern Africa, there are several important species. Correct identification of the stemborers occurring in an area is the first step towards developing an appropriate pest management strategy. The objective of this publication is to provide agricultural scientists and extension workers with a simple, user-friendly taxonomic key to allow the rapid identification of larvae of the major stemborer species found in maize, sorghum and sugarcane in eastern and southern Africa. Fact sheets which summarise information on the geographic distribution, biology, host plant records, and economic importance of the stemborers are also included. Additionally, brief sections on collecting, rearing and preservation of stemborers are provided to facilitate sampling and identification.