Insect fauna associated with maize (Zea mays L.) in sub-montane low hills and mid-hill zones of Himachal Pradesh (India)

A total of thirteen insect-pests and eleven natural enemies were found to be associated with maize crop during different stages of its growth. The major insect pests recorded were Chilo partellus, Mythimna separata, Rhopalosiphum maidis, Chiloloba acuta, Popillia sp. and nitidulid beetles, while the natural enemies recorded were coccinellids, lacewings, syrphids and some parasitoid wasps. A major invasive pest, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda was trapped at Palampur.