Mass production of Dipha aphidivora (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), a potential predator of sugarcane woolly aphid, in shade nets

Mass production of Dipha aphidivora (Meyrick), a potential predator of sugarcane woolly aphid, Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner, was attempted in 'makeshift1 type green shade nets of 40 and 50% mesh with temporarily installed bamboo frames by covering 6 and 7 months old sugarcane crop on small scale (25 m²). Seven-month-old sugarcane crop with 60–70% SWA infestation covered by 50% green shade net in bamboo frame of 5 x 5 m size yielded a maximum of 2700 larvae and pupae of D. aphidivora within 75 days.