Occurrence of Sugarcane Scale Insect Melanaspis glomerata (Green) and its Natural Enemies in Bihar

Parasitoids and predators are organisms responsible for the biological regulation of insect pests. The natural enemies associated with scale insect Melanaspis glomerata (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) included Adelencyrtus mayurai (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), Selitrichodes sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), Chilocoris nigrita and Pharoscymnus horni (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Cybocephalus sp (Coleoptera: Cybocephalidae). The parasitoid Selitrichodes sp. and predator Cybocephalus sp. were recorded for the first time against scale insect in sugarcane agroecosystem in Bihar. However, the natural enemies are of prominent importance as they aid in biological pest control.