SCIRPOPHAGA EXCERPTALIS WALKER INFESTATION IN RELATION TO ITS NATURAL PARASITOIDS AND SUGARCANE CULTIVARS IN EASTERN UTTAR PRADESH
R.K. TANMAR *
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SUGARCANE RESEARCH, LUCKNOW-226002, INDIA.
ASHOK VARMA *
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY, INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SUGARCANE RESEARCH, LUCKNOW-226002, INDIA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The sugarcane top borer. Scirporaea etcerptatis Wlk infestation in relation to its parasitoids and cultivars
were studied in eastern Uttar Pradesh during 1987 to 1989. Of the two egg parasitoids and seven larval
parasitoids recorded in the region, the most prevalent were Telenomus digmus Gahan and Isotima
javensis Row, Rhaconotus scirpophagae Wik and Glamorpha (Stenobracon) nicevillei Bingham as egg
and larval parasitoids, respectively. The cumulative passation by prevalent parasitoids could not suppress
S. excerptalis population buildup through successive seasons. Among the locally grown of the
commercial cultivars screened, BO 91 was less infested by S. excerpts and was found to be tolerant
under field conditions as compared with cultivars, CoS
7918, Co 1148, CoJ 64 and CoS 770. Due to ineffectiveness of the existing natural enemy complex and non
availability of multiplication techise of the host top borer and its parasitoids, growing tolerant varieties appeared to be
only feasible strates the management of S. excerptalis in endemic area of the region.