Potential of Apanteles flavipes Cameron against Chilo tumidicostalis Hampson in Sugarcane

The parasitization of C. tumidicostalis larvae by A. flavipes showed steady increase reaching a peak, 25.34% in 1^st fortnight of October followed by 23.08% and 22.72% during 1^st fortnight of September and 2^nd fortnight of October, respectively. The maximum temperature ranged between 30.6 to 33.8°C and minimum temperature ranged from 19.6 to 26.8°C with relative humidity ranging from 87 to 91% and 54 to 74% at 0700 h and 1400 h, respectively. During secondary infestation similar trend was observed of parasitization. The maximum temperature coupled with relative humidity at 0700 h showed positive correlation with parasitization of larvae. Apenteles flavipes showed potential against Chilo tumidicostalis in both primary and secondary infestation in sugarcane under natural conditions.