Site of pupation of the rice leaffolder Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and its larval parasitoids

Pupation behaviour of the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (Guenee) studied under field condition (April-May) in dry and (November-December) in wet season. Pupae were observed on the leaf, followed by inbetween tillers and within the leaf sheath below junctura. Leaf blade as the site of pupation was positively correlated with maximum temperature whereas percent pupae found within the leaf sheath, below junctura was negatively correlated. Pupae of its larval endo-parasitoids Apanteles cypris Nixon, Macrocentrus sp. and Cardiochiles nr. nigricollis Cameron followed a similar trend with that of the host. Pupae of Goniozus sp. a gregarious ecto-parasitoid was mostly observed on the leaf irrespective of season.