Studies on the Population Dynamics of Sugarcane Stem Borer, Chilo infuscatellus (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its Parasitoid Cotesia flavipes (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in Sugarcane in Hyderabad Region of Sindh

Abstract

Sugarcane stem borer, Chilo infuscatellus Snellen is an important and destructive insect pest attacking sugarcane crop in Sindh. Wasp, Cotesia flavipes Cameron is effective larval parasitoid of Chilo species. In the present investigation, population dynamics of C. infuscatellus and C. flavipes were analyzed in Hyderabad region. The results indicated that the average percentage infestation of C. infuscatellus showed a significant difference among the sectors studied. The highest infestation ratio was 9.08 ± 3.97 in Chamber, followed by 8.44 ± 5.69 and 7.16 ± 3.94 in Tando Allahyar and Tando Muhammad. Khan respectively. However, in the remaining sectors infestation ratio was insignificant. Parasitism percentage of C. flavipes in different sectors of Faran Sugar Mills Ltd. showd that parasitism ratio was significantly higher in Khokhar i.e. 28.75% sector, followed by Digh Mori i.e. 18.75%.The overall parasitism ratio was 18.33 ± 5.57 and cocoon masses formation was 14.67 ± 4.46 out of 80 larvae of C. infuscatellus