Vol. 11, Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Waseem Ahmad War, Shafiq Ahmad Hakeem, Zahoor Ahmad Dar, Umer Bin Farook, Jameela Rasool, Liyaqat Ayoub and Showkat Ahmad Sheikh

Abstract:
A survey on the occurrence of natural enemies of Maize stem borer (Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) revealed the occurrence of four natural enemies: two predators (Ctenus himalayensis, Mantis religiosa) and two parasitoids (Cotesia flavipes, Trichogramma chilonis), parasitizing the maize stem borer, Chilo partellus (Swinhoe). The Maximums temperature and sunshine hours had a significant and positive effect on natural enemy population while rainfall had a significant and negative effect on them. Both the predators and parasitoids were active throughout the season. The preservation and augmentation of these natural enemies is very important in controlling the maize stem borer in the area. Further the tritropic interation of crop and pest needs to be validated in order to get more insight for pest control in the area.