Biological control of Chilo partellus using egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis and Bacillus thuringiensis

The results of the trial showed that the parasitism rates by Trichogramma chilonis on Chilo partellus eggs on fodder maize were up to 75.2 and 62.6% in 1st and 90.4 and 78.4% in 2nd generation egg laying in three and five days’ interval parasitoids releases plots. Stem tunnelling by larvae was 1.8 and 2.4 cm in three, five days interval released plots compared to 7 cmper infested plant in untreated control plots. The combined application of T. chilonis and Bt resulted in significantly less pest infestation and stem tunnelling compared to individual treatments. Considering cost factor, releases of T. chilonis at 5 days interval 3 times in 1st and 2 times in 2nd generation of the pest is the best treatment for effective control.