<p>A method to screen sugarcane hybrids against internode borer, <i>Chilo sacchariphagus indicus</i> (Kapur) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), was developed by examining borer biology in an artificial diet augmented with shoot powder (4.5% w/v) of three hybrids, viz. Co 293 (resistant), Co 1060 and Co 86032 (susceptible). The diet was dispensed in glass specimen tubes and inoculated with neonate larvae; a plain diet with neonates served as control. Larval and pupal development time, pupal weight, and sex ratio of pupae were recorded for those larvae that completed development. A relative suitability ratio (RSR) was computed for the diet augmented with shoot powder of the three hybrids and plain diet (control) using ranks of larval and pupal development time. One-way or two-way ANOVA was applied to the data appropriately. The larval and pupal developmental time of the borer reared in a diet augmented with shoot powder differed significantly among the three hybrids and plain diet but not between the sexes. Mean larval development time was significantly lowest in diet augmented with Co 86032, whereas it was similar in diet with Co 293 and Co 1060, and plain diet. Mean pupal development time was significantly longer in plain diet, whereas it was similar in diet fortified with shoot powder of all three hybrids. The pupal weight did not differ significantly among hybrids but was higher in females than males. The sex ratio of progeny was generally male-biased, with 65.6–93.9% males. RSR showed significant differences with the lowest (0.463) for plain diet and highest (0.779) for Co 86032; it was intermediate (0.629) for Co 293 and Co 1060. The usefulness of the method to screen sugarcane germplasm material against the borer and possible improvements are discussed.</p>