CHILO INFUSCATELLUS SNELLEN'S (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) BIOLOGY AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

SUGARCANE stem borer, Chilo infuscatellus is the most devastating pest, causing huge economic losses in the sub-tropics and therefore requiring effective management strategies. The current research was conducted to study the biology and management of C. infuscatellus. Moreover, we checked the efficacy of Trichogramma chilonis and granular insecticides against this key pest. The
incubation period for C. infuscatellus was 2.30 days, with a total developing time of 23.30 days for the larvae and 5.90 days for the pupa. Male and female C. infuscatellus had a 36.80-day and 38.00-day total life span, respectively, with the female living longer (4.8 days) than the male (3.90 days). The total female fecundity was 315.90 eggs with a 90.87 egg hatchability rate. The mean percent parasitism (87.01%) and percentage of adult emergence (76.11%) of T. chilonis on C. infuscatellus were both very high, with a total developmental time of 8.74 days in laboratory environment. Additionally, there were notable differences between the findings on the effectiveness of granular pesticides and T. chilonis in the field. The plot treated with Fipronil had the least mean percent infestations (3.58%), followed by Carbofuran (4.26%), and T. chilonis (5.63%). The control plot had the highest mean incidence of infestations (13.34%). Future IPM initiatives should incorporate the introduction of Trichogramma or the utilization of Fipronil @ 16 kg ha-1 for the treatment of C. infuscatellus. This practice will play a critical role in environmental protection and natural resource conservation against insecticides.